Taoyuan International Airport "Plugging Leaks" – Experts Sought to Resolve Issues Once and for All

▲ Ceiling leak in Terminal 2. (Photo / Eastern TV)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

In early May, Taoyuan International Airport experienced multiple leakage incidents. To address the situation, in addition to stepping up inspections and repairs, the Taoyuan International Airport Corporation will invite licensed experts in architecture, design, structural engineering, waterproofing, and related fields from both Taiwan and abroad to form a special task force on the 9th of this month (tomorrow) to discuss improvement plans aimed at completely resolving the problem. The airport company deeply regrets the inconvenience caused to travelers by these incidents.

Taoyuan International Airport explained that the leakage issues can be divided into two categories: roof leaks and pipeline leaks. As for roof leaks, taking Terminal 2 as an example, the original architectural design did not facilitate proper drainage due to the horizontal layout of the roof. Waterproof building materials were also not used effectively. Coupled with climate change, sudden heavy rainfalls have overwhelmed the drainage capacity. Moreover, Taiwan experiences frequent earthquakes, and since its opening, the terminal has been affected by multiple quakes, leading to cracks at the joints and subsequent leaks.

Additionally, blockages caused by debris discarded by passengers—such as plastic bags, sanitary products, masks, cloth strips, and more—as well as aging infrastructure, are among the main reasons for pipeline leaks. Taoyuan International Airport noted that although pipelines have been gradually replaced in conjunction with toilet renovation projects, the current passenger volume has exceeded the original design capacity. For instance, Terminal 2 was designed to handle 17 million passengers annually, but last year saw 19 million passengers passing through. Under these saturated conditions and in order to maintain operations, the airport company is doing its utmost to enhance inspections, clear blockages, and carry out preventive cleanings.

The airport company also urges everyone not to discard miscellaneous items in restrooms. Cases of malicious damage will be reported to the police for investigation. The airport company once again expresses deep regret for the inconvenience caused by the leaks. In addition to ongoing repair works, it has actively been studying improvement measures to better serve travelers entering and leaving the country.