Kaohsiung International Airport in Taiwan

Kaohsiung International Airport (高雄國際機場 / KHH) is a medium-sized civil airport located in Siaogang District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan (小港機場 / Xiǎogǎng jīchǎng). With nearly seven million passengers in 2018, it is the second busiest airport in Taiwan, after Taoyuan International Airport. The airport features a single east–west runway and two terminals—one domestic and one international—and is owned and operated by Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration. It serves as a key hub for both international flights and cross-strait travel to mainland China, as well as domestic services to Taiwan’s outlying islands.

History

The airport was originally built in 1942 as an Imperial Japanese Army Air Squadron base during Taiwan’s Japanese colonial period. After 1945, when the Republic of China government assumed control, the airport retained its military role. In 1965, it was demilitarized and converted into a domestic civil airport to serve the growing transportation needs of southern Taiwan. By 1969, it was upgraded to international airport status, and regular international flights began in 1972.

During the 1970s and 1980s, international flights were limited, with Hong Kong and Tokyo being the only overseas destinations. In the 1990s, dedicated connecting flights to Taipei were inaugurated, allowing southern Taiwan passengers better access to international flights departing from the north. In 1997, the international terminal opened to accommodate a growing number of travelers.

The opening of the Taiwan High Speed Rail (台灣高鐵) in 2007 significantly reduced domestic air traffic, particularly between Taipei and Kaohsiung. This resulted in the last domestic flight between Taipei Songshan (台北松山) and Kaohsiung ending on 31 August 2012. However, from 2008 onwards, cross-strait flights to mainland China and new international routes contributed to recovery in passenger numbers.

Terminals

Kaohsiung International Airport has two terminals, connected by a corridor: the domestic terminal and the international terminal.

The domestic terminal, built in 1965, primarily serves smaller aircraft that do not require jet bridges. This terminal initially handled both domestic and international flights until the international terminal opened in 1997. Over the years, it has undergone minor expansions and improvements.

The international terminal, opened in 1997, features all gates equipped with jet bridges and serves all international flights, including cross-strait services to China. The floor area of the international terminal is three times larger than that of the domestic terminal, reflecting its primary role in handling larger aircraft and higher passenger volumes.

Airlines and Destinations

Kaohsiung International Airport is served by a wide range of commercial airlines, providing direct flights to regional hubs in Asia, as well as cross-strait destinations. Major airlines include China Airlines, EVA Air, China Eastern Airlines, Cathay Dragon, Japan Airlines, and Uni Air. International destinations include Tokyo–Narita, Osaka–Kansai, Seoul–Incheon, Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, and major cities in China such as Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Fuzhou.

The airport also accommodates charter flights from China Airlines and Uni Air to multiple Japanese cities, including Asahikawa, Hakodate, Sapporo, Hanamaki, Obihiro, Nagasaki, and Kumamoto, mostly during long holidays. In addition, there are military charter flights operated by the Republic of China Air Force and Uni Air to strategic islands such as Dongsha Island (东沙岛) and Taiping Island (太平岛).

Commercial Airlines and Destinations Table

Military Charter Airlines Table

Passenger Statistics and Busiest Routes

In 2018, Kaohsiung International Airport handled 6,973,845 passengers and 73,541.6 tons of cargo.

Busiest routes (2018)

Ground Transportation

Kaohsiung International Airport is connected to the city and surrounding areas through multiple transport options:

• Rail: The airport is served by the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Red Line (高雄捷运红线), connecting passengers to Taiwan Railways at Kaohsiung Main Station and Taiwan High Speed Rail at Zuoying Station. Both terminals are connected by the transit line.
• Coach: One-way coach service operates to Fangliao (枋寮) and Kenting (垦丁).
• Local Bus: Frequent city buses serve both domestic and international terminals.
• Car Rental: A rental center is located between terminals, near the airport bus stop.
• Taxis: Yellow taxis are available at the roaming taxi stop on the right side of the International Terminal. Two queuing taxi stops are also located at the left side of both the International and Domestic Terminals.

Accidents and Incidents

Notable incidents include:

• 15 February 1969: Douglas C-47B B-241 of Far Eastern Air Transport damaged beyond repair.
• 27 June 1989: Cessna 404 Titan crashed near Cianjhen District, en route to Wang-an (望安); all 12 passengers killed.
• 23 July 2014: TransAsia Airways Flight 222 crashed during a second landing attempt at Magong (马公); 10 of 58 passengers survived, 5 people on the ground were injured, and two homes caught fire.