The Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) is working with Taiwanese airlines to increase flights to Tokyo and use larger aircraft to transport fans after Taiwan qualified for the Premier12’s Super Round in Tokyo, Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) said yesterday.
Taiwan on Sunday night dominated Australia 11-3 to seal their Super Round berth in the tournament of the world’s 12 highest-ranked national teams. It was the first time in 21 years that Taiwan has qualified for the semi-final round of the tournament. In 2003, they finished fourth in the Premier12’s predecessor tournament, the Baseball World Cup.
The Super Round begins on Thursday at Tokyo Dome, with Taiwan playing Venezuela, followed by the US on Friday and Japan on Saturday. The final is on Sunday, the World Baseball and Softball Confederation’s Web site says.
Photo: CNA
While Japan is already a popular travel destination for Taiwanese tourists, many people are expected to fly to Tokyo to root for the national team.
However, most flights to Tokyo operated by Taiwanese airlines are almost fully booked due to Japan’s popular maple leaf season, with only isolated seats in business and premier economy class remaining.
In a meeting of the legislature’s Transportation Committee yesterday, Democratic Progressive Party legislators Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌) and Lai Hui-yuan (賴惠員) asked Chen if there is any way for Taiwanese airlines to boost capacity in the short term to accommodate fans traveling to Tokyo, as they have received many requests for help.
Chen said bookings of flights to Tokyo surged dramatically after Sunday’s game.
“The CAA is coordinating with Taiwanese airlines about increasing flights to Tokyo and using larger aircraft to carry more passengers. The agency will help Japanese airlines dispatch additional flights if they are willing to help as well,” Chen added.
The average price for round-trip tickets to Tokyo is about NT$20,000, travel agents said, adding that tickets are generally harder to get if travelers are departing near the weekend.
Tickets at some airlines soared to NT$50,000, with few seats remaining, they said.
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