Airports have been eerily deserted throughout the pandemic. Domestic U.S. travel has started to return just a little bit, although continued spread of the virus here threatens the fragile recovery.
Taiwan, in close proximity to China, has done among the best jobs crushing the virus. With fewer than 450 confirmed cases in total, and just one confirmed case so far this month, the country is virtually virus-free. In order to keep it that way they’ve limited contact with the outside world.
The primary airport serving Taipei is Taoyuan International Airport. The Taipei Songshan airport normally offers domestic flights as well as international flights to some destinations in Japan, South Korean, and China. On Friday only one flight is expected to arrive at the airport, EVA Air from Shanghai Pudong.
With so little traffic the airport is hosting a “pretend to leave the country” tour. Passengers will board a plane – and get off – without ever leaving Taipei Songshan airport.
I think about the only thing that would make this cooler is if EVA Air brought in one of their Hello Kitty jets for the experience.
(HT: @JournoDannyAero)
I’ll tell you what – it’s a damn easy airport to fly out of. I had my personal record at that airport on a Saturday morning this past February. From hotel in central Taipei to lounge in under 10 minutes.
This airport is amazing! I would absolutely visit it as it’s own destination. I have about 50 pics just of the airport itself.
Taiwan is such a cute little gem. Please stay strong and independent in the face of threats from CCP.