Ever since the Taichung airport
moved to its current CCK
location, it has become much
easier for travelers in central
Taiwan to fly overseas.

Taichung County Magistrate
Huang Jhong-sheng (2nd from
left) and Taichung City Mayor
Jason Hu (3rd from left) have
both taken flights on many
occasions from CCK Airport to
mainland China, to attend
various city forums.

The interior of Taichung CCK
Airport has undergone
renovation work. Now,
international passengers take
elevators to the second floor
of the terminal for departures,
making airport traffic much
easier and speedier.

The first flight from Taichung to
mainland China.

Taichung CCK Airport: A gateway to the world

Words and photos by Taichung City Government
Translated by Ann Lee

"It only takes 20 minutes to go through immigration, and less than 100 meters to get to the arrival lobby," says Taichung Airport Supervisor Wong Yo-lin, explaining the convenience of the Taichung CCK Airport for travelers. Noting that it is a pity that the airport is only currently hardly being used at 40% of its total capacity, he adds that central Taiwan residents should take more opportunities to travel via this air transport facility.

The Taichung CCK Airport replaces what was formerly known as the Taichung Shuinan Airport. When the city's airport was relocated to its current location, the move occurred in a very short time and there were no international flights. This resulted in jokes that it was only a "super-sized" version of a local airport. However, that is quickly changing.

CCK Airport's new terminals & mini duty free shops
The current CCK airport features a newly-renovated terminal. Previously, the airport's arrival and departure halls and entire interior were quite cramped, as local and international travelers frequently jammed up in lines, not to mention those who were just walking about inside the terminal. Last year, the government spent around NT$49 million on renovations and a reassessment of interior space lay-out. Now, travelers taking domestic flights check-in on the first floor, while those taking international flights take the elevator up to the second floor. With all renovation work complete, the local and international areas are now separated, making travel via this airport a more convenient and pleasant experience.

Taichung Airport Supervisor Wong explained that it now took under 20 minutes to go through immigration at the CCK airport, as travelers simply checked in at a counter on first floor before taking the elevator to the second, where they could board their flights. At the same time, once passengers have landed at the airport, they can get their luggage through immigration and travel under 100 meters to the arrival hall, where they can then get into their vehicles to go home. As he notes, "It is now easier and more convenient than taking a train at the Taipei Train Station."

He also mentioned that, even though the CCK airport was quite small in size, it had everything a traveler would need and want. At the first-floor arrival hall, there is what is known the world's smallest duty free shop--the entire store space is just shy of three pings large--selling tobacco, liquor and cosmetics, the most popular items at all airport duty free shops. However, another bigger duty free shop will be completed in the second-floor departure hall in the near future to meet travelers' shopping needs.

'Mini Three Links' a top choice among China-bound travelers
Wong noted that CCK airport was the most popular channel for those flying to one of the three places for "Mini Three Links" to China, with at least 10 daily flights to Kinmen. When it comes to international flights, there are also three flights to Hong Kong, and one to Ho Chi Minh City every day. Every week, passengers can also make use of one flight to Xiamen and Hangzhou, offering travelers an even easier route to mainland China. As the supervisor says about direct flights, "Flying to Hong Kong is as easy as walking to your kitchen in the house."

Mandarin Airlines Taichung Branch General Manager Lin Hong-chi stated that, although tickets for departures from CCK were not cheaper than Taoyuan or Kaohsiung international airports, its main purpose was to provide a nearby airport and greater ease of travel for those living in central Taiwan.

Lin added that the Second Central Freeway (Rt. 3) and Shalu Interchange were located on both sides of CCK airport, which featured parking lots costing NT$80-120 per day. This means that Taichung's airport is becoming one of the best, smartest gateways for the estimated one million-plus Taiwanese businesspeople who travel to China on a regular basis, as well as 200,000 to 300,000 Vietnamese living in central Taiwan. Having a nearby airport means that they do not need to hurry to get to the airport two to three hours prior to their flight's departure.

As travelers take greater advantage of the Taichung CCK Airport, the city will become more international.
According to Taichung Airport, there are currently eight airplane parking spaces, which means that if the facility is used 16 hours per day, with airplanes flying in and out every two hours, the airport can provide space for 64 different flights per day. However, at the moment, as there are only 30-some flights a day, and the airport's current high efficiency means that on average one plane takes off and lands every hour, the airport is only operating at about 40% capacity, meaning there is a lot of room for growth.

According to Taichung Airport, airlines will continue to follow their new policy of flying to Taichung as often as possible. As long as there are passengers booking flights, there will be planes departing from the CCK airport. This offers a great, long-awaited travel opportunity for central Taiwan residents. If those who have looking been forward to seeing the Taichung CCK Airport become a truly international airport take even greater advantage of this facility, this will become a reality in a very near future.

Left: Taichung CCK Airport has the world's tiniest duty free shop.
Right: There are quite a large number of travelers flying to Kinmen for the 'Mini Three Links' via CCK Airport.