Radio Taiwan International
Date: 21 September, 2020
By: Leslie Liao

A small airport in southern Taiwan is looking to charter flights to bring it new life. The airport — Hengchun Airport — is located in the southernmost county of Pingtung. It’s not far from Kenting National Park, home to some of Taiwan’s most popular beaches. But, since its opening in 2004, Hengchun has faced a number of challenges, leading to a decline in passengers. Now, the local government is getting ready to test a new plan that would bring in more passengers from abroad.

Eager onlookers await the arrival of a plane from the Philippines. The Platinum Skies charter jet lands at Hengchun Airport, but it just sits on the tarmac. Nobody disembarks. The plane can seat 31 passengers, but for now, it’s empty. 

This might seem like the work of rogue pilots with too much time on their hands, but this flight is like a breath of fresh air for the Pingtung County Government. It’s the first international test flight on a new route that will bring passengers from the Philippines.    [FULL  STORY]