The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) might negotiate raising the number of flights allowed at Taipei International Airport (Songshan airport) with the Taipei City Government, as more airlines are expected to use low-pollution and low-noise aircraft, CAA Director-General Lin Kuo-hsien (林國顯) said yesterday.
Lin made the comments to reporters after a ceremony for EVA Airways becoming the nation’s first carrier to use a Boeing 787-10 to fly between Songshan and Tokyo International Airport (Haneda airport).
The pilot flight, which was almost fully booked, did not take off until 5:07pm yesterday due to a one-hour delay caused by a sudden downpour.
Photo: Ting Yi, Taipei Times
EVA Airways president Clay Sun (孫嘉明) said that Songshan airport, Haneda airport and Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport are major gateways for business travelers, as they are in the center of three large metropolitan areas.
Since flight services from Songshan to Hongqiao and Haneda were launched in 2010, the average passenger load was about 90 percent prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Sun said, adding that demand was higher on weekends and major national holidays.
The Boeing 787-10 is now the largest aircraft operating out of Songshan Airport, he said.
“The aircraft can accommodate 342 passengers each flight, which is 33 passengers more than the Airbus 330-300 can accommodate. That translates to an increase in service capacity of about 2,000 passengers per month,” he said.
The Boeing 787-10 uses less fuel and emits 20 percent less greenhouse gas, while featuring lower cabin air pressure, increased cabin humidity and a new air-filtration system, he added.
EVA offers two Songshan-Haneda flights per day and six Songshan-Hongqiao flights per week, the airline said.
Using aircraft with a large capacity and eco-friendly designs would greatly help boost passenger numbers at Songshan airport, Lin said.
Many international visitors — including foreign dignitaries — are impressed by the small, but cozy Songshan airport, as it allows them to quickly transfer to ground transportation — such as the MRT rail system, the city bus system and taxis — after landing, he said.
“The ‘glass ceiling’ on passenger volume at Songshan airport was imposed because it is in the center of Taipei and must have a curfew and noise controls,” he said.
Because of the restrictions, only eight flights can be operated per day using Airbus A330s, he said.
The airport has greatly improved noise controls since airlines have been told to adjust their routes to bypass Xinyi District (信義), Lin said.
“The Boeing 787-10 generates less noise and can accommodate more passengers. We could negotiate with the Taipei City Government on the number of daily flights allowed using Boeing 787-10s,” he said.
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