Airfare discounts begin June 1st

Traditionally a slow time for air travel, June has seen airlines slashing their ticket prices. Tickets for flights from Beijing to other cities are just half of what they usually are, with some seeing discounts of up to 85 percent off.

The airfare discounts began June 1st, with ticket prices dropping much lower than usual.

A ticket seller said, "Usually there are no discounts for same-day tickets. But now they are all discounted."

For example, flights from Beijing to Kunming have dropped to 270 yuan, an 85 percent discount. Prices for other routes - like Beijing to Hangzhou, Beijing to Xiamen, Beijing to Haikou - have fallen by 70 to 80 percent.

Song Lei, marketing manager of yoee.com, said, "Many people cancelled their travel plans because of the earthquake. In addition, this season has seen fewer travellers due to the shortening of this year's May Day holiday. Airlines have to offer more discounts."

It's expected that this round of airfare discounts will last until June 20th. After that, airfares for most routes will see discounts of just 30 percent.