The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) said yesterday that it had submitted a new version of the draft bill for the proposed Taoyuan International Airport Zone to the Executive Yuan for review this week.
The draft stipulates that a state-run corporation would manage the zone. After a 10 percent deduction, 18 percent of the net profit generated by the company’s operation would be given to the local government.
The rest of the net profit would go to the Civil Aviation Operational Fund (民航作業基金).
CAA director-general Lee Long-wen (李龍文) emphasized that the original revenue sources for the fund, such as the aircraft landing and departure fees, would remain unchanged.
The CAA-proposed bill was drastically different from the one proposed by legislators from Taoyuan, which suggested the airport special zone be governed by a private, independent authority that would be free from government regulation.
In addition, the authority would be entitled to decide the boundary of the special zone.
By contrast, the CAA’s bill would limit the special zone to airport infrastructure and land immediately adjacent to the airport.
During yesterday’s briefing, the CAA used statistics from last year to estimate the potential income of the state-run company at the initial stage of operation. The net profit generated by the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport was NT$1.975 billion (US$62.2 million) last year.
The law would require that 10 percent of the net profit be handed over to the airport construction fund.
When that is deducted, 18 percent of the remaining profit would be given to the Taoyuan County Government.
Taoyuan already receives funding from the central government each year because of the airport, which covers charges for noise control and reimbursements to local governments.
Based on last year’s performance, the Taoyuan County Government would receive additional funds of approximately NT$320 million if the bill is passed.
The CAA has drawn up a working timeline to set up the state-run company. A preparatory committee will be established by March next year. The company is scheduled to be in operation by 2010 after relevant regulations are either amended or formed.
Lee said that the 18 percent benchmark is subject to change, as the bill still needs to be reviewed by the legislature, but he said that the percentage was the maximum the administration could accept.
Lee said the bill was specifically designed for the Taoyuan International Airport, and that the success of the bill would inform the government’s decision to use the model at other airports.
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