Resume Full Cross-Strait Direct Flights? Executive Yuan: Demand Lower Than Imagined, Will Evaluate Pragmatically
In response to China's announcement to promote the normalization of cross-strait direct flights, Taiwan's Executive Yuan stated that current demand isn't high, and they will evaluate it pragmatically after receiving official documentation.
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- 📰 Published: April 16, 2026 at 14:24
- 🔍 Collected: April 16, 2026 at 14:31 (7 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 03:39 (61h 7m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA reporters Lai Yu-chen, Kao Hua-chien, Taipei, 16th) China recently announced 10 measures concerning Taiwan, which included promoting the full normalization of cross-strait direct flights. The Executive Yuan stated today that the government is pleased to see healthy and orderly cross-strait exchanges; however, current demand for direct flights isn't as high as imagined. They will conduct a pragmatic evaluation upon receiving the relevant official letters.
After KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun [sic] met with CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping, the CCP's Taiwan Affairs Office announced 10 policies regarding Taiwan, which included promoting the full normalization of cross-strait passenger direct flights. Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-kai said in an interview yesterday that currently, 420 flights are planned weekly across the 10 cross-strait direct flight destinations, but actual flights only amount to 310, indicating that demand is not as high as imagined.
During a press conference after the cabinet meeting today, Executive Yuan spokesperson Li Hui-chih responded to a reporter's question, noting that the government is happy to see healthy and orderly cross-strait exchanges. However, at this stage, the demand for cross-strait direct flights is not as high as imagined, and they will practically evaluate it after receiving the official letter.
Chang Tsui-fen, a specialized committee member of the Civil Aeronautics Administration under the MOTC, explained at the press conference that they indeed received related information, but current flight demand has not particularly surged. Actual operating flights can meet the demand, and they will continue to observe cross-strait demand to adjust flights appropriately. Lin Chien-yu, Deputy Director of the Department of Economic Affairs at the Mainland Affairs Council, also confirmed they received a letter from the mainland and will evaluate it jointly with the relevant competent authorities based on its contents. (Editor: Pan Yi-ching) 1150416
(CNA reporters Lai Yu-chen, Kao Hua-chien, Taipei, 16th) China recently announced 10 measures concerning Taiwan, which included promoting the full normalization of cross-strait direct flights. The Executive Yuan stated today that the government is pleased to see healthy and orderly cross-strait exchanges; however, current demand for direct flights isn't as high as imagined. They will conduct a pragmatic evaluation upon receiving the relevant official letters.
After KMT Chair Cheng Li-wun [sic] met with CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping, the CCP's Taiwan Affairs Office announced 10 policies regarding Taiwan, which included promoting the full normalization of cross-strait passenger direct flights. Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-kai said in an interview yesterday that currently, 420 flights are planned weekly across the 10 cross-strait direct flight destinations, but actual flights only amount to 310, indicating that demand is not as high as imagined.
During a press conference after the cabinet meeting today, Executive Yuan spokesperson Li Hui-chih responded to a reporter's question, noting that the government is happy to see healthy and orderly cross-strait exchanges. However, at this stage, the demand for cross-strait direct flights is not as high as imagined, and they will practically evaluate it after receiving the official letter.
Chang Tsui-fen, a specialized committee member of the Civil Aeronautics Administration under the MOTC, explained at the press conference that they indeed received related information, but current flight demand has not particularly surged. Actual operating flights can meet the demand, and they will continue to observe cross-strait demand to adjust flights appropriately. Lin Chien-yu, Deputy Director of the Department of Economic Affairs at the Mainland Affairs Council, also confirmed they received a letter from the mainland and will evaluate it jointly with the relevant competent authorities based on its contents. (Editor: Pan Yi-ching) 1150416