Four DPP and TSU lawmakers say they aren't afraid to take a China Airlines flight to Japan today, reasoning that the possibility of another crash following so soon after Saturday's disaster is remote.
The four lawmakers are scheduled to leave on a trip to promote trade with Japan.
"It's impossible for lightening to strike the same place twice within such a short period of time," DPP Legislator Tsai Chi-fang (蔡啟芳) reasoned. "That's why we decided to take China Airlines for our trip, despite the crash. I even intend to save money [by not] purchasing insurance."
Tsai is scheduled to take a Tokyo-bound flight at 4pm along with colleague Lin Chung-mo (
The delegation is expected to meet with Japanese economics officials and parliamentarians during their trip, which is aimed at shoring up bilateral trade.
"By patronizing China Airlines, we hope to encourage the state-run enterprise when everybody is pointing fingers at them," Tsai said.
Ho echoed the need for bravery and said flying the airline did not make him feel uneasy.
"By worrying, people cannot add a minute to their life," Ho said.
The TSU lawmaker added that friends and relatives have advised against him taking the flight.
The group will return to Taiwan over the weekend.
Kaoshiung Mayor Frank Hsieh, meanwhile, said yesterday that a trip on CAL to the US next month had to be cancelled because members of his delegation don't want to take the airline.
Hsieh said members of his delegation were worried about safety. "As flights ... are all fully booked, the trip's date will depend on whether we can secure a booking on another flight," Hsieh said.
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