TAOYUAN (TVBS News) — Taoyuan Airport experienced significant disruptions due to runway maintenance on March 3, affecting 698 flights and over 90,000 passengers, with 22 percent of the flights delayed by more than an hour. This incident has prompted a thorough review of the airport's coordination and communication strategies to prevent similar situations in the future.
A Call for Better Coordination
"Actually, a few months ago, we coordinated with the relevant units. Our original plan was to conduct construction during periods of lower traffic volume. However, the traffic volume during the maintenance period turned out to be higher than expected, which led to a more serious delay," he stated.
Lin Kuo-hsien, deputy minister of transportation and communications, emphasized the need for more proactive communication with airlines to ensure they are aware of peak times. "For coordination, we need to remind airlines proactively. It seems each airline doesn't realize its schedule is during peak hours," Lin mentioned, pointing out a crucial gap in the current coordination mechanism.
The recent delays have highlighted coordination issues and brought attention to the airport's need for technological and infrastructural improvements. Lee Ker-tsung, the convener of the Traffic Committee at the Consumer’s Foundation, criticized the slow progress of the third terminal and runway construction.
He advocated for digital management as a goal for international airports, a standard Taoyuan Airport still strives to meet. "I think the construction progress for the third terminal and runway is slow. In terms of software, international airports aim for digital management. Taoyuan Airport has much room for improvement," Lee observed.
The incident and subsequent feedback from various stakeholders underline the importance of enhancing communication between airspace control units and the airport. The corporation has committed to providing a 90-day advance notice for runway closures to improve future coordination.
Moreover, the slip in the 2023 World's Best Airports ranking to 83rd place has sparked a broader debate on the need for continuous upgrades and expansions. Comparisons with globally recognized airports like Incheon International Airport and Hong Kong International Airport, known for their constant technological advancements and capacity expansions, highlight the path forward for Taoyuan.
As Taoyuan Airport moves to address these post-pandemic challenges and delays in terminal construction, the focus remains on efficient maintenance scheduling and facility upgrades to enhance the overall travel experience.
