IN DENIAL:When people unable to book tickets with TransAsia began to suspect serious problems, the airline at first refused to admit it was planning to suspend flights
Taipei Times
Date: Nov 22, 2016
By: Shelley Shan / Staff reporter
The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) yesterday confirmed that TransAsia Airways (復興航空) is
to suspend services for one day today, adding that the airline could be fined up to NT$3 million (US$93,750) for halting flights without seeking prior approval.
CAA Deputy Director-General Fang Chih-wen (方志文) said that the administration had not known that TransAsia planned to suspend services until it received a telephone call from the airline yesterday afternoon, adding that the company had not submitted an application requesting the cessation.
The company also did not explain during the phone conversation with the administration why it had taken the decision, he said.
This is probably the first time that a domestic airline has halted flights without the CAA’s approval, he said, adding that the company has contravened the Civil Aviation Act (民用航空法). [FULL STORY]