A Thorough Facelift for Taoyuan International Airport
(PRWEB) July 28, 2013 -- Over the past few years, Terminal 1 at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TTIA) has been under reconstruction, and the facility now offers a brand new gateway to the world. Looking from afar at Terminal 1, the curves of its traditional herringbone rooftop bring to mind soaring bird wings.
The soft curves of its large span steel frame roof accent the beautiful flowing elements of classical Chinese architecture and represent the idea of rebirth. Moreover, the curtain walls, which have been expanded from the original structure, add 13,000 square meters of space to the terminal and raise its capacity to 15 million passengers a year. Within the spacious lobby streamed with warm sunlight, travellers are able to enjoy architectural design that combines oriental charm and modern technology.
Better by design
TTIA has reproduced the oriental beauty of Terminal 1’s rooftop using modern structural techniques and technology. The design of the tiles lets in plenty of natural light and promotes the use of green energy. The spaces between the check-in counters are widened, and they are made with high-quality wood which not only meets the standard specification of International Air Transport Association but also reflects the warmth of Taiwanese cultural customs. Serpentine material and wood-grain concrete from the city of Hualian are used to symbolise the rebirth of Terminal 1 and to immerse travellers in the richness of Taiwan’s resources and culture.
Services have also undergone a major upgrade. The new signage and e-Gate systems allow travellers to conveniently move around and quickly pass through the gates. Among the features of the brand new underground food court is TaiFuHao, a Muslim-friendly restaurant catering to 1.7 billion Muslims in 55 countries, while offering international passengers the chance to sample local Indian and Thai delicacies.
Free internet connection is available to passengers in every corner of the terminal; TTIA has even installed massage chairs throughout the terminal and set up mini-movie theatres to ease the fatigue of long journeys. Shuttle buses ferry passengers to the high-speed railway station at Qingpu, 15 minutes away, while new, separate lanes for buses and cars at the terminal have enhanced the safety and efficiency of transportation around Terminal 1.
TTIA has four outstanding advantages that confirm its status as a new gateway to the heart of Asia:
- the shortest average flight times to the top eight cities in east Asia, making TTIA the best transit location
- upgraded facilities that mean TTIA continues to offer world-class services with a Taiwanese touch
- the introduction of the mass rapid transit (MRT) link and connection to the high-speed railway has made it even more passenger-friendly and yielded impressive economic benefits
- the renovation of TTIA will be completed by the end of July 2013, at which time the gamut of new features and comforts will be available for passengers around the world.
Global recognition
TTIA has received overwhelmingly positive feedback on its enhancement programme. In the annual ACI Airport Service Quality (ASQ) passenger satisfaction survey, TTIA was named the world’s third-best airport in 2012 in the 15–25-million passenger category.
With this praise and trust from passengers around the world, TTIA’s next move is to continue improving facilities in and around the airport. In the future, focus will be increasingly devoted to development of the Terminal 3 area.
Investment in aviation and non-aviation construction associated with the aerotropolis is expected to create economic benefits valued at NT$1.7 trillion, generate 180,000 jobs and usher in an entirely new era at TTIA.
MR. Ting, +886-3-3982066, [email protected]
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