Encouraging operators to organize chartered flights to Eastern and Central Taiwan, the Tourism Bureau offers a maximum subsidy of NT$300,000

To attract more international tourists to visit Eastern and Central Taiwan, the Tourism Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications announced on the 9th the implementation of the "Guidelines for Subsidizing International Scheduled Chartered Flights to Eastern and Central Taiwan for Sustainable Tourism." Airlines and travel agencies operating international chartered flights that apply for regularly scheduled services lasting four months or longer with at least two round trips per week to direct-flight destinations such as Hualien or Taitung airports—routes without existing regular flights—are eligible for subsidies for their first 28 flights. The subsidy amount varies by country or region, with a maximum of NT$300,000. Applications are accepted until December 31, 2019 (108 year in Taiwan calendar).

For Japan and South Korea, each round trip is subsidized NT$300,000; for Southeast Asia (excluding the Philippines), each round trip is subsidized NT$250,000; for Hong Kong, Macau, the Philippines, other source countries, and mainland China, each round trip is subsidized NT$150,000. The funding mainly comes from the Executive Yuan’s Eastern and Central Taiwan Development Fund and the Tourism Development Fund.

The Tourism Bureau stated that while Eastern and Central Taiwan boasts abundant tourism resources, international visitors often find it difficult to travel there due to limited availability of TRA train tickets. To develop Hualien and Taitung airports and enhance accessibility for international tourists, the subsidy program encourages both domestic and international airlines to operate direct flights to the region through a scheduled chartered flight incentive model. Travel agencies can also create tour packages to Eastern and Central Taiwan, thereby stabilizing the market and facilitating regular flight services.

According to these guidelines, the Tourism Bureau stipulates that if an airline operates flights with fewer than 140 seats per flight and fewer than 100 foreign passengers—but achieves a passenger load factor of 70%—the subsidy will be granted proportionally based on the number of passengers according to the aforementioned subsidy rates for each source market. For flights with more than 140 seats per flight and fewer than 100 foreign passengers, or for flights with fewer than 140 seats and a passenger load factor below 70%, Japanese and South Korean passengers will receive a subsidy of NT$800 per person for one-way travel.

Passengers from Southeast Asia (excluding the Philippines) will receive NT$600 per person for one-way travel, while those from Hong Kong, Macau, the Philippines, other source countries, and mainland China will receive NT$400 per person for one-way travel. For chartered flights paired with regular flights, the subsidy amount for the chartered portion will be calculated at 50% of the stipulated rate.

Zhang Xicong, Deputy Director of the Tourism Bureau, mentioned that Hong Kong Express Airways operated chartered flights to Hualien Airport last year, bringing many travelers from Hong Kong and Macau to visit Hualien. This year, Hong Kong Express can apply for the subsidy and receive financial support.