China has spent billions on building some of the largest and most modern airports in the world, but, much to everyone’s embarrassment, it seems unable to get planes to fly between them on time. Violent attacks have erupted at airports across China, with passengers venting their rage on staff. There is even a new Chinese phrase for the rampaging hordes: the “kong nu zu”, or “air rage tribe”. Last month, only 18 per cent of the 22,000 flights out of Beijing’s Capital airport departed on schedule, according to the aviation research company FlightStats, making it the world’s worst major airport for punctuality. Not one Chinese airport managed to get even half of its flights to leave on time. More here. [BJS]
