Trial opening of transit for mainland Chinese tourists via Taichung in three cities  Taoyuan Airport ready to embrace transfer business opportunities

▲ Departure hall of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. (Photo / Reporter Ji Xiangru)

Reporter Lai Wenxuan / Taipei reporting

The Taiwan Affairs Office announced the opening of three pilot cities—Chongqing, Nanchang, and Kunming—for mainland Chinese tourists transiting via Taiwan. Mainland residents flying from these three cities to Taiwan can transfer through Taiwan Taoyuan Airport without leaving the airport, as long as they hold a passport, flight ticket, and boarding pass for their onward destination. This move is expected to significantly enhance the transfer capabilities of Taoyuan Airport and boost the competitiveness of Taiwan’s aviation industry.

▲ Taoyuan Airport gears up for the transfer business opportunities brought by mainland Chinese tourists. (Photo / Reporter Chen Shichang)

In response to the transit needs of mainland Chinese tourists via Taiwan, the first phase opens three cities—Nanchang, Kunming, and Chongqing. Currently, there are 20 weekly flights between these cities and Taoyuan Airport. Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport stated that since 2015, it has been preparing for mainland Chinese transit passengers, including tripling the size of the transit security screening area, increasing the number of transit security screening lines from nine to fourteen, and adding more aviation police personnel. It is estimated that passenger processing capacity can be increased by over 50%.

▲ Taoyuan Airport is ready to welcome mainland Chinese transit passengers. (Photo / Reporter Ji Xiangru)

Taoyuan Airport Corporation also explained that based on observations of passenger behavior and movement patterns, most transit passengers proceed to the departure level after check-in to shop, rest, or use various facilities. The current transit area of the terminal provides services for transit passengers, including check-in counters, free showers, restrooms, a cinema, massage chairs, Wi-Fi, and paid dining options.