Domestic flight tickets to rise 10% from New Year’s Day next year; 30% early-bird discount available for bookings made 14 days in advance

▲ Domestic flight price adjustments leave both industry players and travelers less than satisfied. (Photo: UTAIR historical image / Credit: Reporter You...)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Domestic flight ticket prices are set to increase. The Civil Aeronautics Administration officially announced on the 26th that starting from New Year’s Day next year, domestic flight fares will be raised by up to 10%. To avoid placing an additional burden on passengers who have already purchased tickets, those who bought their tickets before December 31st can board flights before the end of the Spring Festival travel period without paying the fare difference. The fare burden for residents of outlying islands will be subsidized by the government, and early-bird discounts of up to 30% will be offered on off-peak flights.

Domestic flight ticket prices have not been adjusted for over nine years, but oil prices have more than doubled compared to the past. Many airlines have had to absorb losses on their own. Originally, the Ministry of Transportation approved a maximum fare hike of 20% for domestic routes, but due to “concerns” expressed by the government, the actual increase is limited to just 10%. Some operators believe that a 10% hike is still not enough to break even.

Among the adjusted prices, Uni Air’s “Tainan–Kinmen” route shows the highest price difference, rising from NT$1,990 to NT$2,193. Meanwhile, Far Eastern Air Transport’s “Kaohsiung–Kinmen” route has the smallest price difference, increasing from NT$1,942 to NT$1,988, a mere NT$46 more. Airlines that have so far announced ticket price hikes includeUni Air,Mandarin Airlines,TransAsia AirwaysandFar Eastern Air Transport— a total of four carriers.

Additionally, to avoid placing an extra burden on passengers traveling home for the Spring Festival, after coordination between the Civil Aeronautics Administration and the airlines, those who purchased tickets before December 31st this year can board flights before the end of the Spring Festival travel period without paying the difference under the new fares. However, from February 7th onward, the fare difference must be paid according to the new rates.

Residents of outlying islands also need not worry about increased costs. The Civil Aeronautics Administration has decided to maintain the current ticket prices for these residents through government subsidies. In addition, it is expected that over 80% of flights will offer discounted prices, with around 25% of off-peak flights (departing from outlying islands/eastern Taiwan before 9–11 AM or heading to outlying islands/eastern Taiwan after 2–5 PM) offering early-bird discounts of up to 30%. Passengers can secure cheaper fares by booking 14 days in advance, but the actual implementation methods and the number of early-bird tickets are subject to individual airline announcements.

%The new round of domestic airline fare adjustments will take effect on a specific date (Image / Screenshot fromUni Air official website)