TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taoyuan International Airport (桃園國際機場) expects a record-breaking 920,000 passengers and 4,590 flight movements during the Qingming Festival holiday this weekend, officials announced Tuesday (March 31). The surge comes even as rising global fuel prices threaten to reshape air travel costs. Vice President Tony Yu (余崇立) said the peak outbound travel day on Friday could see 162,000 passengers, surpassing last year's record, while the holiday marks Taiwan's traditional tomb-sweeping festival.
The airport has implemented AI-powered security screening systems to manage the increased traffic, Yu said. The systems display estimated wait times at departure checkpoints using headcount data and color-coded signals to indicate queue statuses for passengers. Travelers can also check wait times through the official airport app, and the airport encourages passengers to utilize online check-in and automated e-Gate services during the holiday period.
As of March 10, the airport's passenger volume for 2026 had reached 10.01 million, reflecting ongoing growth in the international aviation market. The total volume for the year could hit 49.18 million, which would mark another historical high for Taiwan's largest airport. However, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported a 104% increase in global aviation fuel prices due to the Middle East conflict, pressuring airlines worldwide.
The fuel surge has already hit consumers, with Cathay Pacific Airways (國泰航空) imposing a US$800 (NT$25,544) fuel surcharge on round-trip tickets from Sydney to London. Before the conflict, the economy class ticket price for this route was approximately US$1,369 (NT$43,717), meaning fuel costs now add nearly 60% to the base fare. Bank of America (美國銀行) analysts suggest that price-sensitive travelers may opt for alternative transportation methods, potentially impacting short-haul flight demand.