The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) yesterday said that domestic airlines would give passengers to the outlying islands early-bird deals next year after its decision to increase ticket prices.
The agency had announced in July that fares for domestic flights would rise on Jan. 1 next year due to rising aviation fuel costs.
In response to a press conference hosted by Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Yang Ying-hsiung (楊應雄) of Kinmen County, Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Yang Yao (楊曜) of Penghu County and independent Legislator Chen Hsueh-sheng (陳雪生) of Lienchiang County yesterday, the administration said that discounts would be given on more than 80 percent of the flights.
Meanwhile, 25 percent of off-peak flights — defined as departing from the outlying islands or the east coast before 9am, or heading to the outlying islands or the east coast after 5pm — would offer 30 percent discounts to early-bird passengers who book two weeks prior to departure.
Passengers buying tickets before Dec. 31 this year will not need to pay the difference in charge should they take the flight before the end of the Lunar New Year holiday. Flights on Feb. 7 or later will be charged the difference to cover the price increase.
The administration emphasized that the new pricing scheme will not increase burden on residents of outlying islands, as the government will continue subsidizing their purchase of home-bound airplane tickets.
PEAK MONTHS: Data showed that on average 25 to 27 typhoons formed in the Pacific and South China seas annually, with about four forming per month in July and October One of three tropical depressions in the Pacific strengthened into a typhoon yesterday afternoon, while two others are expected to become typhoons by today, Central Weather Administration (CWA) forecaster Lee Ming-hsiang (李名翔) said yesterday. The outer circulation of Tropical Depression No. 20, now Typhoon Mitag, has brought light rain to Hualien, Taitung and areas in the south, Lee said, adding that as of 2pm yesterday, Mitag was moving west-northwest at 16kph, but is not expected to directly affect Taiwan. It was possible that Tropical Depression No. 21 would become a typhoon as soon as last night, he said. It was moving in a
A Taiwanese academic yesterday said that Chinese Ambassador to Denmark Wang Xuefeng (王雪峰) disrespected Denmark and Japan when he earlier this year allegedly asked Japan’s embassy to make Taiwan’s representatives leave an event in Copenhagen. The Danish-language Berlingske on Sunday reported the incident in an article with the headline “The emperor’s birthday ended in drama in Copenhagen: More conflict may be on the way between Denmark and China.” It said that on Feb. 26, the Japanese embassy in Denmark held an event for Japanese Emperor Naruhito’s birthday, with about 200 guests in attendance, including representatives from Taiwan. After addressing the Japanese hosts, Wang
One of two tropical depressions that formed offshore this morning could turn into a moderate typhoon by the weekend, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said today. Tropical Depression No. 21 formed at 8am about 1,850km off the southeast coast, CWA forecaster Lee Meng-hsuan (李孟軒) said. It is expected to move in a northwesterly direction as it continues building momentum, possibly intensifying into Typhoon Mitag this weekend, she added. The radius of the storm is expected to reach almost 200km, she said. It is expected to approach southeast of Taiwan on Monday and pass through the Bashi Channel between Tuesday and Wednesday,
About nine Taiwanese are “disappeared,” detained, or otherwise deprived of freedom of movement in China each month, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said yesterday. Between Jan. 1 last year and Aug. 31 this year, 188 Taiwanese travelers went missing, were detained and interrogated, or had their personal freedom restricted, with some questioned in airports or hotel lobbies, the council said. In a statement ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the council urged people visiting China for any reason to be highly vigilant and aware of the risks. Of the reported cases, 50 people were “disappeared” after entering China, 19 were detained and 119 had