The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) confirmed Monday that regularly scheduled direct cross-Taiwan Strait flights will begin Aug. 31. A CAA official said the arrangement was agreed upon between China and Taiwan during the third round of cross-strait talks held in the Chinese city of Nanjing April 26. The agreement allows for 270 regular flights per week between China and Taiwan, a big increase compared to the existing 108 charter flights permitted each week. In addition, China has agreed to open up six more destinations to Taiwanese carriers, bringing to 27 the total number of Chinese destinations served by the flights. Since the inauguration of daily chartered flights last December, they have enjoyed great popularity due to high demand, but have also received severe criticism for the high prices charged by the various carriers operating the routes. With the advent of regular direct flights, the government hopes airfares will become less expensive and already, carriers on both sides of the strait have begun cutting fares in anticipation of the imminent opening. 