Strong Performance / Taoyuan Airport Sees Significant Passenger Growth in January–February

Photo & Text / Provided by Taoyuan International Airport

Passenger traffic at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport continues to grow. According to statistics from the airport authority, the total passenger volume from January to February 2016 reached nearly 6.883 million, an increase of 975,000 passengers compared to the same period last year. The growth rate of 15.34% is particularly impressive among major Asian airports, highlighting Taoyuan Airport’s vital role as an aviation hub in East Asia.

▲ Passenger traffic at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport continues to grow. (Photo / Reporter Huang Kexiang)

Based on the traffic data released by major Asian airports for January–February 2016, Hong Kong Airport saw a 9% growth rate, while South Korea’s Incheon Airport reached 14%. Meanwhile, Singapore’s Changi Airport and Japan’s Tokyo Narita Airport reported January growth rates of 10% and 3%, respectively.

The period from January to February this year coincided with the nine-day Lunar New Year holiday, leading to a significant surge in outbound travelers. Additionally, January 16 was the date of the presidential, vice-presidential, and legislative elections, which attracted many overseas Taiwanese and Taiwanese businesspeople back home to vote. Furthermore, Taoyuan Airport successfully attracted four airlines in 2015—NokScoot, Turkish Airlines, Jeju Air, and Jetstar Japan—to commence operations. So far in 2016, the airport has continued to attract more airlines to launch new regular routes or charter flights, including Palau Airways (Taipei–Palau), Myanmar National Airlines (Taipei–Yangon), Malindo Air (Kota Kinabalu–Taipei–Okinawa), Fiji Airways (Taipei–Fiji), Eastar Jet (Taipei–Incheon), and Lucky Air (Taipei–Lijiang), all of which have contributed to the growth in passenger traffic at Taoyuan Airport.

To meet future growth demands, Taoyuan Airport has not only completed the renovation of two runways but is also actively upgrading taxiways and aprons. Moreover, the airport is continuing with the detailed design and subsequent construction of Terminal 3. Looking ahead, Taoyuan Airport is well positioned to play an even more significant role in global air transport and continue making contributions to Taiwan’s economic development.