On an inspection of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TTIA) today, Premier Sean Chen encouraged the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) to work toward the goal of stranding no passengers over the Lunar New Year holiday (February 9-17 this year). After hearing the CAA's transportation plans, the premier said the goal may sound simple enough but will require much preparation to achieve. He thanked the staff and asked them to keep up the good work to ensure smooth travels over the busy holiday week.
Chen said he understood this task will constitute a major undertaking for many transport agencies including the CAA, airport terminals, Taiwan International Airport Corp. and the Aviation Police Office. Cooperation will also be needed from the Central Weather Bureau, Ministry of National Defense and the "CIQS" units (responsible for customs, immigration, quarantine and security). The premier prompted the agencies to apply past experiences to their plans and asked the MOTC to ensure all transportation and contingency measures are carried out accordingly.
Under the MOTC transportation plan, the CAA will focus on flight safety as top priority and work with CIQS units to make customs services as convenient as possible. Authorities will also ensure that the number of domestic airline seats is sufficient to meet holiday demands (270,000 seats have already been scheduled for flights to the outlying Kinmen, Penghu and Matsu islands). And to bring Taiwanese businesspeople back from mainland China for the holidays, 298 additional cross-strait flights will be available with contingency plans ready in the event of inclement weather (including the use of military planes as backup transportation).
Separately, Premier Chen said the MOTC recently delivered a special report to the Cabinet on the progress of renovations to the TTIA, which is one of several sub-projects under the Taoyuan Aerotropolis core project. He likened the difficult process to sewing up a piece of garment while it is being worn—the renovations must be carried out in phases at the same time the airport is in operation. When completed, the renovations will add 13,000 square meters of floor space to the TTIA and provide travelers with a more comfortable environment.
Other plans under the Taoyuan Aerotropolis project are also going well, the premier said, including construction of the Wugu Yangmei elevated highway and the new airport metro line. These projects, combined with Taoyuan County's expected upgrade into a special municipality, will usher in a new era of prosperity for Greater Taoyuan.
Later, the premier inspected commercial facilities around Terminal 1 as well as the security- and passport-check areas, departure counters and expansion areas. He also interacted with children in the play area and savored beef noodle soup and special snacks in the food court.