Taiwan's Civil Aeronautics Administration plans to release draft regulations next month that, if approved by Taiwan's parliament, would authorise operations of business aircraft.
Business aircraft manufacturers, which for years have been pressuring the authority to lift its virtual ban on private aircraft, have been informed that draft regulations will be completed by the end of June. The manufacturers were earlier told new regulations would be implemented this year, but this can no longer occur until early next year at the earliest, because the proposal must first be formally debated by the government (Flight International, 6-12 April).
Foreign-registered business aircraft are now permitted to fly into Taiwan, with Taipei's Chiang Kai Shek International airport handling about 300 business jet movements a year. But local companies cannot base aircraft in Taiwan and the few companies that own aircraft are forced to keep them abroad.
The regulations would allow private aircraft to be based at Chiang Kai Shek and permit the establishment of business aircraft charter companies. The authority is also studying a proposal to turn Sunshan airport, in Taipei, into a business aviation centre for the Asia-Pacific region. Sungshan, which only handles domestic commercial flights, has seen a 50% fall in traffic since 1997 and is set to lose another 50-70% after a new high-speed rail line opens next year.
Potential general aviation operators are also proposing that Pingtung airport in southern Taiwan be opened for flight training. Civilian pilot training may also be allowed along the rural east coast of Taiwan.
Source: Flight International
