Local couriers suspended

Four Shanghai courier firms had their licenses for air-freight services suspended over the weekend because they failed to report inflammable materials in their cargo, causing a small fire on a China Southern Airlines flight last week after it landed.

YTO, Yunda Express, and the Huixing and Qihang courier firms will have to suspend their air-freight services until they improve their business procedures, the China Air Transport association announced on its website.

"All membership carriers of the association should refuse to transport cargo for the four couriers during the suspension," said the association. Most Chinese airlines are members.

Some cargo on the China Southern CZ6524 passenger flight caught fire after the aircraft landed at an airport in Dalian in northeast Liaoning Province. There were no injuries or major damage. Police found that inflammable materials, including two lithium batteries banned onboard, led to the fire.

The association found the batteries were transported by YTO Express, while the other firms also had concealed prohibited materials. Company officials could not be reached for comment.