The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) has proposed opening of the Hualien airport for international chartered flights, the agency's chief said yesterday.
CAA Director-General Billy Chang (張國政) said that he had submitted the proposal to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications as part of the government's plan -- the "Challenge 2008" six-year national development plan -- to nearly double the annual number of foreign arrivals to 5 million by 2008.
The proposal still awaits further approval from the Executive Yuan, Chang said.
If the Cabinet gives the green light, Chang said the ministry will also plans to allow the Makung airport in Penghu and Taitung airport to begin accommodating international charter flights.
Some 2.72 million tourists visited the country last year, with Japan remaining the leading foreign tourist source for 36 percent of all arrivals, according to the Tourism Bureau figures.
Hong Kong, together with Macau, accounted for 16 percent while the US contributed 13 percent, the bureau said.
The bureau targets the number of tourists at 2.8 million this year, with the number forecasting to surge to 5 million in the year 2008.
Hualien airport opened for charter flights to and from Japan last year as part of the government's efforts to promote tourism.
Korean Air applied recently for permission to operate charter flights using Hualien Airport and the CAA is to suggest a full opening for international charters instead of confining permission to certain countries, Chang said.
In addition, Makung airport has also applied for international charter flights, Chang said, adding that Air Macau plans to inaugurate a charter service between Macau and Makung next month.
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