CEA admits pilots deliberately returned

China Eastern Airlines has finally admitted that pilots on 21 flights deliberately turned their aircraft round in flight, affecting more than 1000 passengers in Yunnan Province.

The airline made the announcement on its website. It says it has suspended the pilots, and an investigation is underway. Heads at the airline's Yunnan branch were also suspended.

Between March 31st and April 1st, 21 flights returned to their departure points in Yunnan Province. China Eastern originally claimed the incidents were due to poor weather. However flights with other airlines flying the same routes landed on schedule during the same period.