Beijing, June 09: China's biggest airline is offering free flights for life to the person credited with finding a cure or vaccine for Sars. The offer applies to whoever is identified by the World Health Organisation and China's government as the key figure in defeating the flu-like illness, a spokesman for China southern airlines said today.

The airline "is really concerned about Sars and wanted to do something for the whole human race," said the spokesman, who would give only his surname, Tang.

China southern is based in the southern city of Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, where the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome was first reported.
Tang said that the airline would also bestow the title of "most respected passenger" on its honoree.

The hard-hit airline reported today that the number of passengers on its flights in may was 83 per cent below the level of the same month last year.

Bureau Report