Domestic airline ticket prices set to rise — Civil Aviation Administration introduces off-peak discounts of up to 50%

▲ First ATR72-600 aircraft of Uni Air makes its inaugural flight to Taitung (Photo provided by Uni Air)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

The Civil Aviation Administration announced at the end of September 2013 that domestic airfares will definitely increase by 10% next year. Airlines complained the hike was too small, while the public lamented another hit to their wallets. Today, Shen Qi, Director of the Civil Aviation Administration under the Ministry of Transportation, stated that airlines will cooperate with the administration to introduce off-peak discounts ranging from 50% to 70%.

The decision to raise domestic airfare prices has been finalized. Starting January 1, 2014, fares on 24 domestic routes will definitely go up. Most will rise by 10%, some by 8% to 9%, and a few by 2% to 4%. In response to the fare increases, the Civil Aviation Administration also required airlines to offer discounted off-peak fares, with the lowest possible rate being 50%.

Shen Qi stated that in order to give airlines more flexibility in setting off-peak ticket prices, refund policies will also be relaxed. Originally, tickets valid for one year could be refunded within one additional year after expiration, but now the refund window has been shortened to one month. Airlines will also announce their peak and off-peak flight schedules and fares for domestic routes starting December 1. (News source: Central News Agency)