Tough border restrictions to keep the coronavirus under control have led to a 97.5% plunge in international travel in the region, according to the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines. Saturday's flight by Tigerair Taiwan, the low-cost unit of Taiwan's largest carrier China Airlines, took off from Taipei's Taoyuan International Airport and flew up to Jeju, circling low to give passengers a chance to see the island, though mist limited views, and then flying back to Taiwan. Covid 19 Time SeriesSome passengers wore traditional Korean dress to mark the flight. Passengers and staff posed for pictures before the flight took off, holding a sign in Chinese, Korean and English reading: “South Korea is missing you. Tigerair Taiwan Longing flight (to) take off.”While international travel has collapsed, domestic travel is booming in Taiwan, where the pandemic is well under control.

Source: Standard Digital September 19, 2020 14:37 UTC