TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Severe summer afternoon thunderstorms have disrupted operations at Taipei Songshan Airport (台北松山機場), causing flight delays and ground operation suspensions. In July alone, the airport halted ground activities four times, affecting 47 flights.
On Wednesday (July 10), a Uni Air (立榮航空) flight from Xiamen (廈門) to Songshan Airport circled in the air for 40 minutes due to relentless thunderstorms. The aircraft, piloted by Captain Shih Ching-sheng (史慶生), finally landed at 2:42 p.m. Shih explained that thunderstorms necessitate suspensions of takeoffs, landings, and ground operations, often leading to planes circling in a holding pattern.
Passengers on the flight noted long lines for the restroom but appreciated the crew's patience and their continuous explanations. Shih further clarified that wind direction impacts the circling pattern, with southwest winds causing a spring-like flight path.
Songshan Airport uses its radar to detect thunderstorms within a 3-kilometer radius, immediately announcing "thunderstorm overhead" and halting all ground operations when a storm is detected.
Kaohsiung International Airport (高雄小港機場) follows a similar protocol, while Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (桃園機場) and Taichung International Airport (台中機場) decide on a case-by-case basis.
Former pilot Chang Chih-hao (張志豪) shared that planes usually circle on autopilot, sometimes for over an hour.
Experts note that such disruptions are common in summer, and the Civil Aviation Administration advises passengers to stay updated on flight information due to the unstable afternoon weather.
