Ministry of Transportation to Invest NT$673.8 Billion to Upgrade Airports, Aiming for 100 Million International Passengers by 2045

(Central News Agency reporter Pan Zi-Yu, Taipei, July 16) The Ministry of Transportation will invest NT$673.8 billion in the overall development layout of Taiwan's civilian airports to upgrade the nation's gateway. With 2045 as the target year, the plan aims to achieve approximately 100 million international passengers, 13 million domestic passengers, and 4.02 million tons of cargo.

Today, the National Development Council (NDC) committee meeting approved the 'Taiwan Civil Aviation Airports System Plan 2045,' submitted by the Executive Yuan upon recommendation by the Ministry of Transportation. The full proposal will now be reported to the Executive Yuan for final approval.

This system plan aims to respond to changes in the international air transport market and domestic environmental shifts, with the vision of becoming 'the most competitive and resilient airport cluster in East Asia.' It will promote the comprehensive development of Taiwan's 17 civilian airports and enhance both hardware and software facilities to improve airport service quality and national air transport competitiveness.

According to an NDC press release, the plan targets 2045 as the goal year, projecting approximately 100 million international passengers, 13 million domestic passengers, and 4.02 million tons of cargo. These figures will serve as key references for future airport capacity planning and construction. By 2045, Taoyuan International Airport Corporation, the Civil Aeronautics Administration Operating Fund, and the military are expected to invest approximately NT$491.6 billion, NT$180 billion, and NT$2.2 billion respectively in various airport infrastructure projects, totaling an estimated investment of NT$673.8 billion.

The Ministry of Transportation will allocate approximately NT$673.8 billion before 2045 for major airport construction projects, including the ongoing Terminal 3 and Third Runway at Taoyuan Airport. After the approval of the first phase of the new terminal at Kaohsiung Airport, work has already begun on the taxiway relocation and parking structure, with terminal construction to follow upon completion of detailed design.

For outlying island airports, reconstruction of the airside pavement at Kinmen Airport and the first phase of terminal expansion at Beigan Airport are currently in the design phase. Lanyu and Green Island airports have already commenced construction on terminal renovation (expansion) and exterior aesthetic upgrades. These projects will strengthen the international gateway functions and competitiveness of airports, while improving the integrated land-sea transportation network and transport resilience of domestic airports.

NDC Minister Ye Jun-Xian emphasized that in the face of environmental changes and technological advancements, airport operational resilience and adaptability are increasingly important. National civilian airport development should make proper use of construction resources, align with national net-zero transition and digital development policies, and promote forward-looking operational strategies focused on sustainability, intelligence, and resilience to accelerate sustainable and digital transformation. (Edited by Zhang Liang-Zhi) 1150716