Fuzhou Changle International Airport has opened 6 direct flight routes to Chinese Taiwan with 42 scheduled flights each week, announced Fuzhou Customs on July 16.

As the Chinese mainland and Chinese Taiwan have been fostering a closer economic cooperation, a large growth occurred in the number of direct flights between Fuzhou and Taiwan. It is reported that in the first half of 2010, 574 direct flights and 90,414 passengers travelled between the two regions, a 925% and 884% increase respectively over the same period last year.

“The direct routes between Fuzhou and Taiwan have been widely applauded by travelers since Xiamen Airline launched the direct flights between Changle Airport and Taipei Songshan Airport on December 18, 2008. But the needs are still growing,” said Wutao, a Changle Airport-based official of Fuzhou Customs.

The biggest change came when Taiwan Trans-Asia Airways joined the direct flights between Fuzhou and Taipei on March 15, 2010. It was the first Taiwan airline to join the program.

More were soon to follow. On February 8, 2010, Taiwan Trans-Asia Airways launched Fuzhou-Taichung routes and Taiwan UNI Air began Fuzhou-Taipei Taoyuan routes for the first time on March 15. In addition, a direct chartered flight took off at Fuzhou Airport on June 15.

The increasing flights, however, still couldn’t satisfy demand, as evidenced by the fact that all the flights were packed with passengers. So 18 more direct flights between Fuzhou and Taiwan became available on July 9.

To ensure a smooth customs environment, the airport installed an information desk and will help passengers with any concerns.

By Xu Xinlei