China cuts flight hours for Air China and starts safety checks

Beijing. Jul 20. Silkroadnews - China’s aviation authorities have cut 10% flight hours by Air China’s Boeing 737 fleet and cancelled licenses for the pilot and co-pilot of the aircraft involved in last week’s accident, Sina.com reported.
The authorities will also start a three-months safety checks in Air China and fine the airline 50,000 yuan ($7,460).
To remind, Boeing 737 aircraft of Air China company performed flight on Dalian - Hong Kong route on July 10, when it suddenly dropped to 10,000 feet (3,048 meters) with oxygen masks deployed. The aircraft then climbed to continue the flight.
The Civil Aviation Administration of China said the incident was linked to a co-pilot smoking an e-cigarette during the flight, the report reads.