Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government

During the press conference following the city administration meeting on May 18, Mayor Hau Lung-bin announced that the concept of flights connecting Taipei’s Songshan Airport to Shanghai’s Honqiao Airport “has taken shape;” officials from the aviation authorities from both sides will hammer out the remaining details soon.
Hau noted that direct flight between the two airports would significantly reduce travel time for passengers, making one-day trips feasible. While both sides share a common understanding on many issues, the rest depends on the cooperation of airline companies.
As for exact dates, Hau hopes that direct flights between Songshan and Hongxiao can be implemented by the start of Taipei Cultural Week. With the event at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo taking place on June 14, the mayor expressed his wish that the delegation of performers from Taipei will be onboard the first flight to Hongxiao Airport.
According to the mayor, he had a chance to speak with Shanghai’s mayor Han Zheng about direct flights connecting Songshan Airport and Hongqiao Airport during the latter’s visit to Taipei. With the implementation of the flights, Shanghai’s residents can visit Taipei to enjoy the beautiful sceneries of the Taipei International Flora Expo, while local residents can stop by Shanghai to experience the wonders of the World Expo.
Both sides agree that in the future, the number of flights to Hongqiao Airport will match the number of flights to Shanghai’s Pudong Airport. With flights between Songshan and Tokyo’s Haneda Airport expected in the near future, Taipei will become a trade and financial center of the Asia Pacific.