The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has urged airlines and airports to improve services to ensure passenger satisfaction ahead of this summer's Olympic Games. An expected 500,000 foreigners will fly to China during the event and the Chinese authorities want to ensure they have a good first impression.

Drills held over the past two summers have raised a number of passenger comfort issues, with some travellers kept waiting for hours in stuffy cabins or terminal buildings, partly due to weather conditions, says Li Jiaxiang, the new head of CAAC.

The administration has also asked airports to draft emergency plans, after a huge amount of public money was spent on boosting security at major airports.

CAAC deputy minister, Li Jian, says the administration has spent 1.5 billion yuan (US$206 million) upgrading air traffic control facilities.

A further 714 million yuan (US$98 million) has been spent on improving airport security facilities, while 33 million yuan (US$4.5 million) was spent on six explosive detection facilities.

China's National Development and Reform Commission has also approved 255 million yuan (US$35 million) for camera monitoring systems to be installed in the cabins of selected passenger aircraft.