Business Traveler, May 2017
18 n May 2017 Visit businesstravelerusa com n Take Offs Landings An airport represents a countrys portal its welcome to the world And as the number of passengers continues to increase airports globally are pushing to keep up with new facilities expansions and upgrades In the Asia Pacific region rapid economic growth is mirrored in the flourishing passenger count which airports continue to post month after month And the sheer pace of growth has left some airports behind the curve with modernization and major infrastructure projects such as building new airports lagging the demands of a burgeoning aviation sector Some nations however have planned well beyond the current numbers carving out their place as vital destinations in the worlds aviation network Heres a look at five of Asias primary hubs four currently in operation and one in the offing that are already planning for the future 5 1Taiwan Taoyuan International If flat out efficiency is important to you as a business traveler this bit of news might steer you toward one of Asias stealth hubs Taiwan Taoyuan International was the 2015 recipient of Airports Council Internationals award as the worlds most efficient airport In what was almost a double play ACI also said TPE came in second for airport service quality in 2015 TPE thats Taoyuans airport code is home base for a couple of major international players EVA Air and China Airlines not to be confused with its cross strait rival PRCs Air China TPE handled some 423 million passengers in 2016 making it the planets 11th busiest airport in terms of international passengers Its a two runway two terminal affair with a third terminal set to open in 2020 T3 alone will accommodate 45 million fliers per year Its being billed as one of Asian Gateways Are on a Building Spree the most expensive construction projects in the history of modern Taiwan To help passengers connecting at TPE an inter terminal rail project is now in the works Business travelers may well get their first introduction to Taoyuan via a flight on China Airlines or EVA Over the past couple of years EVA has been growing its fleet and expanding its reach with service to Houston Bush Intercontinental and Chicago OHare International Both IAH and ORD are major hubs for United Airlines Thats important because UA like EVA is a major Star Alliance member This move facilitates connections frequent flier points sharing and airport club access 2Seoul Incheon International Airport Nine hundred miles to the north another hyper efficient airport is Seouls Incheon International Incheon officials say on average that departures take 19 1
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