BEIJING, Dec. 31 -- Additional flights will operate to deal with increased passenger flow between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan for the Spring Festival, a spokeswoman said on Wednesday.

Airlines from both sides will arrange additional flights between Feb. 5 and March 5, Fan Liqing of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office told a press conference.

The mainland and Taiwan will continue to increase the number of cross-Strait flights based on market demand, Fan said, adding the number of flights has increased to 840 from 270 per week since the route opened in September 2009.

Destinations in the mainland have increased to 55 cities, including many second- and third-tier cities, she said.

The Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 19, 2015, is a major holiday for family reunions for Chinese people.