Taiwan's Taoyuan Int'l Airport's Passsnger Traffic Growth in H1, 2014 Leads Across Asia
2014/08/11 | By Steve ChuangDriven by the rise of low-cost carriers (LCCs) as well as aggressive promotions by Taiwan's airlines and travel agencies, the Taoyuan International Airport saw passenger traffic exceed 16.68 million people in the first half (H1) of the year for a 13.1% increase, compared to 14.75 million in the same period of 2013, to lead in Asia, according to Taoyuan International Airport Corporation.
The firm says that the airport is the only one to see double-digit passenger traffic growth among others in Asia, including Hong Kong International Airport and Korea's Incheon International Airport, which finished H1 with growths of 6.3% and 7.8%, respectively. Japan's Narita International Airport and Singapore's Changi Airport saw 5.61% and 1.76% increases, respectively, for the first five months.
Taoyuan International Airport emphasized that such brisk growth in passenger traffic is due to the emergence of LCCs and promotions by local airlines and travel agencies, as well as explosive growth in Chinese independent travelers, which doubled in H1 over a year ago to over 500,000.
During H1, the firm says that the airport witnessed the sharpest growth of 21.74% in overall passenger traffic in May, when passenger arrivals and transfer passengers rose 21.31% and 5.47%, respectively. China, Japan and Hong Kong (including Macau) were the top-three sources for tourist arrivals.
Outbound Taiwanese from the airport also soared 24.7% in May despite seasonal low, mostly due to promotions by airlines and travel agencies, with the top-three destinations being Japan, China and Hong Kong among others.
With the Taiwanese government to allow in Chinese independent travelers from 10 more cities to fuel tourist arrival growth starting in H2, Taoyuan International Airport forecasts 2014 passenger traffic to see a new high of 34 million people. (SC)
| Passenger Traffic Growths at Major Asian Int'l Airports in H1, 2014 | |
| Airport (Nation)
| Growth Rate
|
| Taoyuan International Airport (Taiwan)
| 13.10%
|
| Incheon International Airport (Korea)
| 7.80%
|
| Hong Kong International Airport (Hong Kong)
| 6.30%
|
| Narita International Airport (Japan)
| 5.61% (Jan.-May)
|
| Changi Airport (Singapore)
| 1.76% (Jan.-May)
|