Could a revitalized airport bring a new lease of life to Taiwan’s south?
The News Lens
Date: 2018/07/06
By: Eryk Smith
If a proposed flight from Myanmar does actually land at Hengchun Airport on July 28, 2018 – as a report in the Chinese-language Liberty Times in early July claims, “has a decent chance of happening” – a new lease of life could be on the cards for both Kenting’s
Photo Credit: Wiki Commons
currently unused airport, and perhaps Kenting tourism as well.
But, of course, the Kenting airport has been promised “new leases on life” before.
I flew into Hengchun (Kenting) Airport from Taipei in 2010. It was for a DJ gig and the organizers wanted me there in a rush so they shelled out for the faster, but more expensive way to get to south Taiwan’s beach resort. I was excited as it was a first for me. As the propeller-plane landed, however, I understood why news reports about Taiwan’s most southern airport all seemed rather negative.
Hengchun Airport should be a winner. Take the High-Speed Rail (HSR) from Taipei and you’ve still got to endure another two hours on a bumpy bus before you arrive at the famous Kenting Strip. Friends of mine in the north tell me after assessing transport time and transport and hotel costs, they find it’s cheaper or comparable to fly from Taipei to Japan or some other nearby Asian location. [FULL STORY]