Taiwan Expects to See Passenger Arrivals on Cross-strait Flights Hit Record 10 Million This Year

Since the opening of direct cross-strait flights, the number of passenger arrivals has been growing rapidly, with some 9.19 million having arrived in Taiwan last year and as many as 10 million expected this year.

In June 2008, when direct cross-strait flights started, 18 flights weekly were allowed to see some 420,000 arrivals for the year, with the figure having risen a year later to 3.11 million and steadily increased yearly with more flights added.

In 2013 such arrivals broke nine million to reach 9.19 million and are expected to exceed 10 million in 2014. Last year the number of weekly cross-strait flights grew to 670 and this year the number has further surged to 828. Meanwhile, the maximum of Chinese tourists in packaged tours into Taiwan has been raised to 8,000 daily this year from last year's 7,000 and that of free independent travelers has been hiked to 4,000 from 3,000.

Before cross-strait flights were allowed, Taiwanese wishing to travel to China had to transit via Hong Kong or Macau, but now travel time has been reduced considerably. (JL)