|
January 21, 2005, Taipei, Taiwan – China
Airlines and the Civil Aeronautics Administration held an
inauguration ceremony today, celebrating the new services from the
North Departure Hall of CKS Airport’s terminal 2. China Airlines
also launched the second VIP lounge in the new facility. Minister
Lin Lin-san of the Ministry of Transportation and Communication
attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony jointly with the Chairman and
the President of China Airlines. Flight CI018 from Taipei to Tokyo
and Honolulu on January 21 was the inaugural flight for CAL’s
service in Terminal 2.
Beginning today, China Airlines flights to and
from the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, and Guam were relocated to
Terminal 2, with check-in service available in areas 3A and 3B,
and 4A. China Airlines is the first airline to provide services at
both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at CKS Airport. Following the move,
there will be an average of 30 CAL flights each day using Terminal
2, representing about 30% of CAL’s total flights at CKS Airport.
With these flights moving to Terminal 2, China Airlines passengers
are now able to enjoy more space at both terminals.
“In response to the rapid growth of air
traffic in the Asia Pacific region, the government has built the
North Departure Hall in Terminal 2,” said Dr. Yao-Chung Chiang,
Chairman of China Airlines. “The action of China Airlines moving
its US, Canada, Australia and Japan services to Terminal 2 will
not only increase traffic in Terminal 2, but will also balance the
development of both terminals.”
Terminal 2 is designed to accommodate 17
million passengers each year, but so far it only handles 4
million. However, Terminal 1 now handles more than 12 million
passengers annually, surpassing its capacity. Before today’s
move, China Airlines operated more than 100 flights to and from
CKS Terminal 1 each day, and carried more than 24,000 passengers
daily from Terminal 1. The relocation of a portion of CAL’s
services will reduce congestion at Terminal 1.
China Airlines inaugurated a second VIP lounge
at CKS Airport, when it began service at Terminal 2. The spacious,
10,000 square-meter lounge features the same modern design as
CAL’s VIP Lounge in Terminal 1. Guests to the lounge will enjoy
a beverage and snack bar, plus a noodle bar, business area, shower
rooms, wireless broadband, personal computers with Internet access
and eight 42 inch plasma TVs, along with the same fine service
available at CAL’s Terminal 1 lounge. The new VIP lounge at
Terminal 2 can comfortably accommodate 57 guests in the First
Class area, and 176 in the Dynasty Class area and open between
6:00 and 22:30.
China Airlines has launched a series of advertising campaigns
to raise public awareness of the new Terminal 2 service. China
Airlines will also provide assistance to those passengers who may
not arrive at the correct terminal for departure. In early
January, China Airlines invited selected guests to join a “dry
run” for its counters and facilities in Terminal 2, which was a
valuable experience in streamlining operations and increasing
efficiency ahead of the formal launch.
|
