Taipei Chiang Kai-shek International Airport

Taipei Chiang Kai-shek International Airport, presently known as the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, is located at the Taoyuan County in Northern Taiwan, in the Republic of China. It is also known as the Taoyuan Airport or CKS Airport. Considered the busiest of all three international airports in Taiwan, it is also the base of operations of China Airlines and EVA Air. It replaced Taipei Songshan Airport in the 1970s who was formerly the international airport in China.

History

As one of the Ten Major Construction Projects implemented by the Chinese government during the 70s, this airport consisting first of only one terminal was opened and named for the former president of China, Chiang Kai- shek. It was only during the 90's that the second terminal as opened, with EVA Air as its first customer then China Airlines taking over the other half. The third terminal is already in the works and construction is expected to start in 2008.

Terminal 1

Terminal 1 services the 18 gates, which faces both the north and south runways. They are linked by main building where passengers can check-in into their respective airlines, claim their baggage, process their passports and immigration, and go through security checks. Jetways are found in all gates, each having either one or two, depending on location. This terminal caters to China Airlines, Angkor Airways, Air Macau, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, Mandarin Airlines, JetStar Asia, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Palau Trans Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Thai Airways International, TransAsia Airways, and Vietnam Airlines.

Terminal 2

Since its opening in 2000, Terminal 2 now has 20 gates, divided into Concourse C and Concourse D. It is used also by China Airlines for their flights to the US, Australia, Canada, Guam, and Japan, all Nippon Airways, Air Nippon, Asiana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Dragonair, EVA Air, Uni Air, Far Eastern Air Transport, Japan Airlines, Japan Asia Airways, KLM, Northwest Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Pacific Airlines, and United Airlines. For Cargo and freight transport, the airlines that operate are Atlas Air, China Airlines Cargo, and EVA Air Cargo.

Parking and Transport

In Terminal 1, parking is at the ground floor, at the west and east side, while in Terminal 2, it is located at 2 underground floors, and a ground floor at both sides of the terminal. The Skytrain provides safe and fast transportation between the two terminals at no additional charge. Shuttle buses are also available for free between the two terminals from six in the morning until two the next morning. There are also other buses that can take you to the city from the airport. Their rates vary depending on where you are going. Taxis are also a possible means of transport to and from the airport. They can be seen outside the terminals, just by the Arrival Halls. They charge by the meter plus a 50% surcharge because of the location of where you got them. It would probably be cheaper to just rent out a car and park at the airport when you are ready to leave. They are located at the north side of both terminals.

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