MAC on Increasing Cross-Strait Flight Destinations: Let Market Mechanisms Resolve It
Regarding China's push to fully restore cross-strait direct passenger flights, Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council stated that the decision should be left to market mechanisms and airlines' profitability assessments.
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- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 20:41
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 21:02 (20 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 21:08 (6 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA Reporter Liao Wen-chi, Taipei, 23rd) The Taiwan Affairs Office of the Chinese Communist Party recently announced 10 measures related to Taiwan, among which "promoting the full normalization of cross-strait direct passenger flights" continues to spark discussion. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) stated today that this should be resolved by market mechanisms; if airlines believe there is potential for profit, they will apply to the government.
The MAC held a regular press conference today, chaired by Deputy Minister and Spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh.
Recently, mainland China initiated communication via the "cross-strait civil aviation miniature platforms," sending a letter requesting the opening of several destinations and calling for the rapid and full resumption of cross-strait passenger flights. The MAC previously stated that current destinations and capacity are sufficient to meet demand, and there is no urgent need for immediate expansion. However, Hsu Shu-po, Chairman of the General Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of China, argued that Taiwanese tourists still have demand to return from mainland China, asking rhetorically, "Which airplane doesn't have a return load factor?"
Liang Wen-chieh responded that, as Hsu mentioned, it is mostly Taiwanese passengers traveling back and forth. But the government emphasizes that when planes fly Taiwanese tourists there, the return trip isn't necessarily the same group of Taiwanese, but also mainlanders. Only then does the route have long-term viability; otherwise, it essentially functions as a charter flight to specific tourist spots.
He further pointed out that destinations proposed by China, such as Urumqi, Lanzhou, and Harbin, are essentially tourist destinations designed to bring Taiwanese tourists over, while the return flights won't have Xinjiang, Lanzhou, or Harbin locals on board. If the goal is just to transport Taiwanese tourists to these spots, "then let market mechanisms resolve it, and see if airlines think there is money to be made."
Liang said, "If airlines feel there is a possibility of profitability, they will apply to us, and we will evaluate it. If they don't think it's profitable, we will not force airlines to operate these routes."
Liang added that operating a route involves more than just flying a plane; setting up counters and personnel, passenger check-in, and baggage inspection all incur costs.
China's Taiwan Affairs Office stated yesterday that cross-strait flight passenger numbers grew by double digits last year, with a load factor exceeding 80%, and that mainland airlines have basically maxed out their cross-strait flight capacity quotas.
Liang pointed out that these are China's statistics regarding its own airlines, claiming that China's top three state airlines have a load factor over 80%. However, Taiwan's figures show it is around 60%, and the actual number of flights is only at 65% of capacity, meaning flights can still be added. However, routes to Europe, America, Japan, and Korea are more profitable, so whether airlines are interested in adding flights ultimately respects their willingness. (Editor: Yang Sheng-ju) 1150423
(CNA Reporter Liao Wen-chi, Taipei, 23rd) The Taiwan Affairs Office of the Chinese Communist Party recently announced 10 measures related to Taiwan, among which "promoting the full normalization of cross-strait direct passenger flights" continues to spark discussion. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) stated today that this should be resolved by market mechanisms; if airlines believe there is potential for profit, they will apply to the government.
The MAC held a regular press conference today, chaired by Deputy Minister and Spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh.
Recently, mainland China initiated communication via the "cross-strait civil aviation miniature platforms," sending a letter requesting the opening of several destinations and calling for the rapid and full resumption of cross-strait passenger flights. The MAC previously stated that current destinations and capacity are sufficient to meet demand, and there is no urgent need for immediate expansion. However, Hsu Shu-po, Chairman of the General Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of China, argued that Taiwanese tourists still have demand to return from mainland China, asking rhetorically, "Which airplane doesn't have a return load factor?"
Liang Wen-chieh responded that, as Hsu mentioned, it is mostly Taiwanese passengers traveling back and forth. But the government emphasizes that when planes fly Taiwanese tourists there, the return trip isn't necessarily the same group of Taiwanese, but also mainlanders. Only then does the route have long-term viability; otherwise, it essentially functions as a charter flight to specific tourist spots.
He further pointed out that destinations proposed by China, such as Urumqi, Lanzhou, and Harbin, are essentially tourist destinations designed to bring Taiwanese tourists over, while the return flights won't have Xinjiang, Lanzhou, or Harbin locals on board. If the goal is just to transport Taiwanese tourists to these spots, "then let market mechanisms resolve it, and see if airlines think there is money to be made."
Liang said, "If airlines feel there is a possibility of profitability, they will apply to us, and we will evaluate it. If they don't think it's profitable, we will not force airlines to operate these routes."
Liang added that operating a route involves more than just flying a plane; setting up counters and personnel, passenger check-in, and baggage inspection all incur costs.
China's Taiwan Affairs Office stated yesterday that cross-strait flight passenger numbers grew by double digits last year, with a load factor exceeding 80%, and that mainland airlines have basically maxed out their cross-strait flight capacity quotas.
Liang pointed out that these are China's statistics regarding its own airlines, claiming that China's top three state airlines have a load factor over 80%. However, Taiwan's figures show it is around 60%, and the actual number of flights is only at 65% of capacity, meaning flights can still be added. However, routes to Europe, America, Japan, and Korea are more profitable, so whether airlines are interested in adding flights ultimately respects their willingness. (Editor: Yang Sheng-ju) 1150423