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Liu praises preparations for charter flights

Premier Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄) yesterday praised the government’s performance in preparing for the first weekend of cross-strait charter flights.

“I give them [government officials in charge of preparations] the credit,” Liu told reporters on a train en route to Hualien.

“They have dealt with most things discreetly, although some situations were beyond [their control],” he said, adding that the sniffer beagle that fractured its front right limb during a routine baggage inspection was the only “public servant” injured while carrying out his duties over the weekend.

Liu expressed confidence that China would offer a steady stream of eager tourists and help the tourism sector flourish. He said he was only concerned about whether renovation carried out at the nation’s airports was enough to accommodate the tourists.

He said the government would continue talks with China through the Straits Exchange Foundation, seeking more charter flights and shorter flight paths.

The direct weekend cross-strait charter flights began on Friday. Taiwanese airlines and government officials welcomed the passengers of the inaugural flights with Aboriginal dances and ceremonies at the airports.

Pan-blue politicians called for the government to expand the flight services to regular charter flights.

On the first day of flights from China, the lobby area at Taipei Songshan Airport was overcrowded because check-in counters had been combined to accept both domestic and international passengers.

Liu downplayed the long lines and crowding yesterday, blaming reporters for aggravating the situation by pushing and crowding the area.

In related news, Kaohsiung City Council Speaker Chuang Chi-wang (莊啟旺) will lead a delegation of 50 people, including 16 pan-blue Kaohsiung City councilors and representatives of Kaohsiung businesses, to Guangzhou on Saturday to promote flights to Kaohsiung and the city’s tourism opportunities.


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