Beijing:
Pilots of Chinese airlines have been warned not to stay up late in the night to watch World Cup football matches to avoid fatigue.
Budget carrier Spring Airlines said it has introduced special measures to avoid safety risks, the Oriental Morning Post reported.
Staff will be monitored for fatigue by having their blood pressure checked, an employee said. Pilots will keep tabs on one another.
China Southern Airlines has taken a harder line, forbidding employees to even discuss football matches during work.
Several pilots said that the majority of Chinese airlines have released similar warnings, state-run China News Service reported.
With matches scheduled from midnight to early morning, Chinese football fans face a tough work schedule in the days ahead.
Brazilian aviation authorities threatened international and domestic carriers last month with fines of up to USD 40,000 for late flights.