Airport Service Fee to Increase from September! Ministry of Transportation Announces 'Two-Phase Adjustment': Revenue Expected to Double to NT$25.6 Billion

The Ministry of Transportation has finalized plans to increase airport service fees, implementing the changes in two stages. The first phase will begin in September 2026, raising the fee from NT$500 to NT$750 per passenger. The second phase, effective September 2028, will further increase the fee to NT$1,000. The Ministry states that this adjustment is necessary to meet an estimated NT$600 billion in airport development needs over the next 20 years, including the construction of Terminal 3 and a third runway at Taoyuan International Airport, as well as upgrades to airports in Kaohsiung, Taichung, and outlying islands. The goal is to establish a stable source of funding while enhancing flight safety and passenger service quality.

Why is the fee being adjusted after 10 years? The Ministry notes that Taiwan's airport service fee has remained unchanged since it was last adjusted to NT$500 in 2015—over a decade ago. However, during this period, construction costs, inflation, and operational expenses have steadily increased, making the current fee insufficient to cover airport development and operations. Compared to major Asian airports such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Narita in Japan, and Bangkok in Thailand, Taiwan's departure fees have been lower. Adjusting the fee will help better reflect actual service costs.

How will the fee increase? How much more will travelers pay? Under the plan, Phase One, from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2028, will raise the airport service fee for outbound passengers from NT$500 to NT$750. Phase Two, beginning September 1, 2028, will raise it to NT$1,000. In addition to the fee increase, the allocation ratio between airport and tourism funds will also be revised. Currently split 50-50, it will shift to 60-40 in Phase One and further to 65-35 in Phase Two.

The Ministry estimates that based on approximately 25.7 million outbound travelers in 2025, the annual airport service fee revenue will double from the current NT$12.8 billion to NT$25.6 billion after the adjustment. Of this, airport allocations will increase to NT$16.6 billion, while tourism funding will rise to NT$9 billion, supporting major infrastructure projects, facility upgrades, and ongoing operations.

The airport service fee increase, set to begin in September 2026, responds to the need for hundreds of billions in future airport development. (Provided by the Aviation Administration, MOTC)

Will transit passengers be affected? In addition to outbound travelers, the Ministry will also adjust facility usage fees for transit and connecting passengers, increasing them in two phases up to NT$1,000. However, since the primary users are foreign transit passengers, the impact on domestic travelers will be relatively limited.

Where will the increased revenue be spent? The Ministry emphasizes that Taiwan currently connects to 104 international destinations with 3,018 weekly flights. Taoyuan Airport handled about 25.8 million passengers in the first half of this year, a 10% year-on-year increase, and is expected to surpass 50 million annually—setting a new record. This sustained growth in air transport demand underscores the urgent need for airport expansion and service upgrades.

The Ministry stresses that the additional revenue will be prioritized for airport construction, facility modernization, operational maintenance, and flight safety enhancements. These investments aim to improve customs clearance efficiency, waiting environments, and overall service quality, building a nationally integrated airport system with greater international competitiveness. At the same time, tourism development will be supported through continued funding for international tourism marketing, ensuring that the fees paid by travelers translate into safer, more convenient gateway services.