Cross-Strait Direct Flights Expansion: CAA States China Unilaterally Halted Negotiations

Central News Agency (Reporter Yu Xiaohan, Taipei, 30th) - China's Taiwan Affairs Office claimed yesterday that some operators' applications for cross-strait flight routes were not accepted. Taiwan's Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) stated today that China's unilateral suspension of cross-strait negotiations due to political factors is the root cause of interference with normal cross-strait aviation interactions and the undermining of cross-strait agreements. The Taiwan Affairs Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China recently issued 10 measures concerning Taiwan, including "promoting the comprehensive normalization of cross-strait direct passenger flights." The Chinese mainland also initiated communication through "mini-cross-strait civil aviation talks," sending letters requesting the opening of several flight routes and urging the comprehensive resumption of cross-strait direct passenger flights as soon as possible. Media reported that China's Taiwan Affairs Office claimed yesterday that some operators' applications for cross-strait flight routes were obstructed and not accepted. In response, Taiwan's CAA stated in a press release today that after the COVID-19 (2019 coronavirus disease) pandemic, the resumption of international air passenger transport worldwide has been achieved through bilateral negotiations, gradually and in phases opening flight routes and flights. However, China's unilateral suspension of cross-strait negotiations due to political factors is the root cause of interference with normal cross-strait aviation interactions and the undermining of cross-strait agreements. The CAA pointed out that after the pandemic, the cross-strait situation and objective environment have changed significantly. After fully considering the needs of operators and travelers, the government has opened 15 regular direct cross-strait flight routes, with a total capacity of 420 flights per week, and an additional 13 charter flight routes. Regarding applications from civil aviation operators for regular flights, the CAA stated that all applications are approved according to their needs. Currently, mainland Chinese operators are flying up to 197 flights per week (94.3% utilization of air rights), and there has been no obstruction of their applications. As for charter flight routes, the CAA said that since March 2023, no applications for charter flights have been received from operators. If operators inquire by phone, they are informed that they can apply for charter flights during festivals such as Lunar New Year, Tomb-Sweeping Day, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival, within the allocated air rights quota, in accordance with the "Explanation for the Implementation of Specific Demand Charter Flights for 13 Cross-Strait Passenger Flight Routes." There has been no obstruction or non-acceptance. China's arbitrary accusations without verification are irresponsible actions. (Editor: Chen Qingfang) 1150430