China has formally renewed its call for the full restoration of cross-strait passenger direct flights, urging Taiwan to remove what it describes as “unreasonable restrictions” on aviation transport. The push, communicated through official channels, highlights a significant gap between current flight capacities and the levels seen before the global pandemic disrupted travel in 2020.
Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO), stated during a press conference on the 15th that Beijing has no policy restrictions preventing the full resumption of flight points. He asserted that the remaining obstacles lie entirely with the authorities of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taiwan, calling for a shift toward a market-driven approach where airlines can independently arrange flight schedules based on demand.
The request was routed through the Cross-Strait Air Transport Exchange Committee to the Taipei City Aviation Transport Business Association, marking one of several attempts since 2023 to normalize air travel between the two sides. The move comes as part of a broader effort to facilitate the movement of people and increase the “well-being of compatriots” across the strait.
The Scale of Aviation Decline
The disparity in flight availability is stark when comparing current operations to the pre-2020 era. According to data provided by the TAO, the current network is a fraction of its former scale, severely limiting the ability of travelers to reach a wide variety of destinations in mainland China.
Currently, passenger flights operate from 14 cities across 15 flight points in mainland China, with approximately 300 flights per week (counting round trips as one flight). In contrast, before 2020, the network spanned 61 flight points, with weekly flights peaking at 890. This reduction has created a bottleneck for travelers, despite a high appetite for travel evidenced by current load factors.
| Metric | Pre-2020 Peak | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland Flight Points | 61 | 15 |
| Weekly Passenger Flights | Up to 890 | 300+ |
| Operating Cities | Various | 14 |
Despite the limited number of routes, the demand remains robust. Chen Binhua noted that the average seat occupancy rate for existing cross-strait flights currently exceeds 80%. Official figures indicate that over 5.78 million passengers utilized direct passenger flights between the two sides in 2025, underscoring a strong public desire for expanded connectivity.
Strategic Push for Regional Connectivity
The push for the restoration of cross-strait passenger direct flights is not limited to major hubs. Beijing is specifically targeting the resumption of flights to regional centers and tourism hotspots where interest from Taiwanese travelers has reportedly surged. Cities such as Urumqi, Xi’an, Harbin, Kunming, and Lanzhou are highlighted as priority destinations for restoration.
This effort is tied to a broader set of “ten policy measures” announced by the mainland side on the 12th. These measures are designed to normalize air transport and further facilitate the movement of personnel. A notable inclusion in these proposals is the support for Kinmen to share the use of the new Xiamen airport, which would potentially streamline travel for residents in the outlying islands.
The Cross-Strait Air Transport Exchange Committee has expressed its willingness to actively promote these changes, suggesting that airlines should be allowed to autonomously adjust their route networks based on the existing air transport arrangements and real-time market demand.
Who is Affected by the Current Restrictions?
The current aviation landscape affects three primary stakeholders:
- Travelers: Residents of both sides face higher costs and longer travel times due to limited route options and the necessity of using indirect paths or limited hubs.
- Aviation Operators: Airlines are constrained by policy limits rather than market demand, preventing them from maximizing aircraft utilization and expanding their service offerings.
- Regional Economies: Tourism sectors in mainland Chinese cities—particularly in the west and north—are missing out on a significant influx of Taiwanese visitors.
Political Friction and Market Realities
While the TAO frames the issue as a matter of “public will” and “market demand,” the deadlock remains deeply political. The mainland’s insistence that the “knot of the obstacle” lies with the DPP administration reflects the broader tension in cross-strait relations, where aviation and transport often serve as proxies for political recognition and cooperation.
The call to “return to existing arrangements” refers to the frameworks established during periods of warmer relations, which allowed for a more liberalized approach to flight scheduling. By urging Taiwan to cancel “unreasonable restrictions,” Beijing is positioning itself as the party open to cooperation, while placing the onus of the current stagnation on Taipei’s regulatory stance.
Industry observers note that the high load factors—consistently above 80%—suggest that the market is currently undersupplied. If the restrictions were lifted, It’s likely that airlines would rapidly fill the void to capture the latent demand for travel to the 46 flight points that remain inactive.
The next critical checkpoint will be the response from the Taiwanese aviation authorities and the Ministry of Transportation and Communications. Whether Taipei views these requests as genuine efforts to facilitate travel or as political maneuvers will determine if the 310-plus weekly flights currently in operation will finally commence to climb back toward the 890-flight peak of the previous decade.
We invite readers to share their thoughts on the impact of cross-strait travel restrictions in the comments below.
