Macao and Taiwan signed an agreement today to lift all restrictions on flights between Macao and Taiwan to destinations such as Taipei and Kaohsiung, and to allow for the operation of chartered flights between Macao and other Taiwan cities. According to a statement by the Office of the Government Spokesperson, the agreement to open up the skies between the two places was signed today in Macao by the Director of Macao Economic and Cultural Delegation in Taiwan, Ms Leong Kit Chi, and the Director of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Macao, Mr Lu Chang-Shui. The Chief-of-Cabinet of the Office of the Chief Executive, Mr Tam Chon Weng, and Mr Kao Ming-Tsun, the head of Department of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs of the related Mainland Affairs Council co-hosted the signing ceremony, witnessed by some 30 officials and trade representatives from Macao and Taiwan. The new agreement will abolish all the limitations in a flight agreement signed in 1995 between Air Macau and Taipei Airlines Associations, and renewed several times. With improving cross-straits relations, Macao and Taiwan intend to enhance air transport services to boost closer co-operation and bring even more convenience to exchanges between residents in Macao and Taiwan. After cordial and friendly discussions, Macao and Taiwan reached consensus on the content of the agreement in December last year. In addition to abolishing the capacity limitations for flights between Macao and Taipei and between Macao and Kaohsiung, the new agreement will also allow aviation companies to operate chartered flights without capacity limitations connecting Macao and other destinations in Taiwan, including Hualien, Taitung, Magong, Kinmen, Tainan and Chiayi. The agreement, to come into effect after formal government approval, will also allow airlines in Macao and Taiwan to operate code sharing services.
