Working Capability of TSA in Operation Flights 1995-2009

Working Capability of TSA in Passenger amount 1952-2009

Ever since 1979, the number of airline passengers as well as the number of inbound and outbound flights has been decreasing year after year. The main reasons for these decreases include the gradual deterioration of the runways resulting from the overload of the giant wide-bodied passenger aircraft, slow passenger clearance operations during peak hours, and the crash of Far Eastern Air Transport airplane. While the reasons for the rapid decline of passengers and flights at the Taipei SongShan Airport are as follows:

1. Completion of the Ten Major Construction Projects: The completion in 1978 of the first highway, Highway No. 1, connecting the important cities along the western side of Taiwan as well as Keelung Port and Kaohsiung Port, formed a major transportation artery for Taiwan. The railway electrification project of 1979 resulted in full electrification of the entire Western Taiwan Trunk Line Railway (from Keelung to Kaohsiung). The completion of construction for the North-Link Line of Taiwan Railway in 1980 shortened train ride durations, so that domestic travel between the northern and southern Taiwan no longer solely relied on air travel.

2. The energy (oil) crisis of the 20th century, from 1979 through the early 80’s: When war broke out between Iran and Iraq (the Iran-Iraq War), steep declines in the amount of crude oil produced per day as well as soaring international oil prices resulted. These rising oil prices further led to economic recession. Since transportation is the backbone of many industrial activities, when the economy is hit with a recession, the transportation industry also suffered significant declines. This overall situation eventually resulted in the reduction and termination of airline flights.

3. The Republic of China (ROC) and the United States broke diplomatic relations: As Taiwan withdrew from the United Nations, there was a dramatic decline in tourists, which in turn caused sharp reductions in airline flights as well.

4. Relocation of the international airline: On February 26, 1979, all international airline routes were relocated to operate out of the Taoyuan International Airport, causing Taipei SongShan Airport to become a domestic airport, which is the main reason of the decline of the airport. The halls at Taipei ShongShan Airport suddently became quiet. In 1982, the situation reached rock bottom.

(Source: Special Issue for the 60th Anniversary of Taipei SongShan Airport, historical documents provided by Mr. Zhongzheng Tang, the Head of Jingzhung Borough)