International flight schedules this summer have returned to 73 percent of levels before the COVID-19 pandemic, while the weekly average of international flights since the season officially began on March 30 is 2,239, about 97 percent of pre-pandemic levels and up 5 percent from the whole of summer last year, Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) said yesterday.
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport has flights to 99 airports worldwide, or 73 percent of pre-pandemic levels, Chen said at the legislature while briefing the Transportation Committee on ministry policies regarding attracting foreign tourists and improving international airport services, flight capacity and expanding destinations.
With international air traffic returning to more stable levels, planes are flying to 99 airports this summer, which ends on Oct. 25, he said.
Photo: Liao Chen-huei, Taipei Times
Four new destinations — Tiger Air services to Oita and Yonago airports, and Starlux Airlines services to Kobe Airport in Japan, as well as Royal Air Philippines services to Bohol Island — have been added this summer, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said.
Etihad Airways would provide flights between Taoyuan airport and Abu Dhabi from September, while Starlux Airlines and United Airlines would offer Ontario, California, and Guam services, the ministry said.
Kaohsiung’s Siaogang International Airport has also added flights to China’s Chongqing by China Airlines, Vietnam’s Nha Trang City by VietJet Airlines and South Korea’s Jeju by T’way Air, the ministry said.
Tiger Air Taiwan also said it is in talks to launch services between Kaohsiung airport and Sendai, Japan, while China Airlines and United Airlines are planning links to Narita airport in Japan and San Francisco, it said.
Taichung International Airport has 11 international destinations, four more than prior to the pandemic, the ministry said, adding that flights at the airport were 79 percent of pre-pandemic levels.
Taichung airport is averaging 104 flights per week, up 68 percent compared with summer last year, it said.
Tiger Air Taiwan on March 30 resumed flights between Taichung and Macau, and is in talks with Nagoya International Airport to resume flights, it said, adding that Bamboo Airways is also planning to start flights between Taichung and Nha Trang, Vietnam.
Flights from Taipei International Airport (Songshan airport) this summer serve nine airports, two of which are international, or 64 percent of pre-pandemic capacity, the ministry said.
Weekly flights at Songshan average 138, or 90 percent of pre-pandemic capacity, it said, adding that the five routes that are yet to resume are in China.
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
STAY COOL: The HPA recommended that people stay hydrated, use air-conditioning or fans while indoors, wear loose-fitting clothes and walk in the shade while outdoors Employers must implement measures such as installing cooling equipment, and providing drinking water and rest breaks for outdoor workers starting from Monday next week, the Taipei Department of Labor said on Sunday. Employers who fail to comply could face fines of NT$30,000 to NT$300,000 under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (職業安全衛生法), the department said. Businesses in Taipei employing fewer than 100 workers, as well as registered self-employed workers with labor insurance coverage, could receive on-site assessments and guidance from occupational safety consultants to help them apply for central government subsidies to implement or improve heat-protection measures, it said. Under the Ministry of
NATIONAL SECURITY: Authorities are working to confirm the identities of the military personnel involved and investigating possible illegal conduct and regulatory violations Authorities are probing possible national security implications after Kinmen police and immigration officers on Sunday found a Chinese woman allegedly posing as a tourist while engaging in prostitution involving more than 10 military personnel. The woman, surnamed Chen (陳), has since been deported, authorities said, adding that investigators are still working to confirm the identities of those implicated, as the records only listed code names and aliases. The case stemmed from a report received by the Kinmen District Prosecutors’ Office on Friday last week from the Jinhu Precinct of the Kinmen County Police Bureau. On Sunday, police, along with the National Immigration
RSS