The maiden international charter flight from Penghu to Macau took off yesterday amid blessings from senior government officials and tourist promoters.
Every seat was filled on the maiden charter flight operated by TransAsia Airways thanks to support from local fishery, labor, trade and farmers' associations.
The flight, which is round-trip, makes Penghu's Makung Airport the first airport on outlying islands that can host international charter flights, as well as Taiwan's fifth international airport.
TransAsia Airways originally accepted reservations by 40 Macau residents to travel to Penghu via its return flight, but the reservations were canceled at the last minute because the passengers were unable to secure visas.
As Macau is now under Chinese rule, those who want to travel from Macau directly to Taiwan must be of non-Chinese descent under the current Taiwanese regulations.
Addressing the charter flight service inauguration ceremony, Minister of Transportation and Communications Lin Ling-san (林陵三) said his ministry will join forces with other government agencies to push for the opening of more international flight services from Penghu to Macau with a view to attracting Chinese and other foreign tourists to the beautiful island group.
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