The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) yesterday said that domestic airlines would give passengers to the outlying islands early-bird deals next year after its decision to increase ticket prices.
The agency had announced in July that fares for domestic flights would rise on Jan. 1 next year due to rising aviation fuel costs.
In response to a press conference hosted by Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Yang Ying-hsiung (楊應雄) of Kinmen County, Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Yang Yao (楊曜) of Penghu County and independent Legislator Chen Hsueh-sheng (陳雪生) of Lienchiang County yesterday, the administration said that discounts would be given on more than 80 percent of the flights.
Meanwhile, 25 percent of off-peak flights — defined as departing from the outlying islands or the east coast before 9am, or heading to the outlying islands or the east coast after 5pm — would offer 30 percent discounts to early-bird passengers who book two weeks prior to departure.
Passengers buying tickets before Dec. 31 this year will not need to pay the difference in charge should they take the flight before the end of the Lunar New Year holiday. Flights on Feb. 7 or later will be charged the difference to cover the price increase.
The administration emphasized that the new pricing scheme will not increase burden on residents of outlying islands, as the government will continue subsidizing their purchase of home-bound airplane tickets.
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