Focus Taiwan
Date: 03/04/2020
By: Lee Hsin-Yin

Taipei, March 4 (CNA) The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) has prepared a NT$4.2 billion (US$140 million) budget to bail out Taiwan's aviation industry if the novel coronavirus outbreak gets worse.

The special budget will subsidize the landing fees and rent for airport space and facilities the airlines pay, said Transportation Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) on the sidelines of a legislative session Wednesday.

"The aviation industry is being hard hit by the epidemic. It is the biggest victim," Lin said, citing difficulties faced not only by airlines but by airport operators and duty-free shops as well.

According to an MOTC policy advisor, the NT$4.2 billion budget was calculated to subsidize 25 percent of airlines' airport rents and fees to make up for an estimated 25 percent drop in traffic because of the global novel coronavirus outbreak.    [FULL  STORY]