Aviation authorities have unveiled a plan to allow additional flights between Taiwan and China leading up to Election Day and through the Lunar New Year holiday.
Taiwan is set to hold presidential and legislative elections on January 11 next year. Officials are expecting a large number of Taiwanese living in China to return to Taiwan to vote.
The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) said on Tuesday that there will be a total of 10 additional flights between January 9 and January 10. Of those, three will be administered by Taiwanese airlines, while the remaining seven will be operated by Chinese airlines. The CAA said that both sides will approve the plan as soon as possible.
The first day of the Lunar New Year falls on January 25. However, additional flights to accommodate an expected surge in travelers during the holidays will operate between January 11 and February 8.
In line with years prior, there are no regulatory limits on how many additional flights can operate between Taiwan and China during the Lunar New Year holiday. However, airlines are limited to the number of flights airports in China can accommodate.