The Chinese Ministry of Transport has issued new flight management regulations, which outline that airline companies must arrange for passengers to disembark a plane, should a delay of more than three hours occur, The Beijing News reports.

The new regulations also stipulate that airlines must pay for passengers' accommodation and meals, should a delay occur that is caused by the company. In other circumstances such as weather, emergencies, or security incidents, the companies are only responsible for arranging accommodation for passengers and do not have to pay for any expenses incurred.

Professor Li Xiaojin with the Civil Aviation University of China said the regulation conveyed to the public that the airlines do not shoulder full responsibilities for all kinds of delays, although many airline companies tend to provide free water, food, or even accommodation in all circumstances, out of concern for passengers.

A netizen argues, however, that problems like disputes and contradictions still lurk as three hour delays are still too long for passengers.

The regulations also provide that airlines must notify passengers by no later than 30 minutes after a delay has been confirmed and inform passengers of the flight delay service policies.

The regulations will officially come into effect on January 1, 2017.

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