Runway maintenance at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is to conclude at least 16 hours early, following complaints about severe flight delays, Minister of Transportation and Communications Wang Kwo-tsai (王國材) said on Monday.
Annual maintenance on the southern 05R/23L runway began at 10am on Sunday and was scheduled to finish at 4pm on Tuesday, leaving only the northern runway open.
Some flights were redirected to land at other airports, reportedly to refuel after circling the Taoyuan airport waiting for clearance.
Photo: Yao Chieh-hsiu, Taipei Times
Flight tracking data showed that six flights were diverted to Kaohsiung International Airport and four were diverted to Taipei International Airport (Songshan airport) as of 9pm.
Wang on Monday confirmed to reporters that the runway closure created a backup at the airport.
As its effect on flights was greater than anticipated, maintenance would end early at midnight at the latest, Wang told reporters.
Officials were sent to the airport overnight to handle the matter, and all affected flights had been processed by 2am, he said.
Additional reporting by CNA
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