Beijing: A new air route over China approved by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in order to reduce traffic congestion during the Beijing Olympics was implemented on Thursday.

The new route dubbed the ‘Olympic Bypass’ aims to alleviate air traffic delays and congestion.

Under the route, Europe flights to Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong will not be channeled through Beijing as a significant increase in Beijing’s air traffic is expected during the Olympics, IATA’s director general and CEO said.