Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport is planning a big increase in self-service in the next few years.
The airport plans to introduce several new procedures that are likely to expand its capacity to 45 million passengers per year by 2018 so that it can deal with an estimated 10 percent annual growth in passenger traffic.
Fei Hourng-jiun, chief executive officer of Taoyuan Airport Corp., said the focus will be mainly on improving boarding efficiency by installing more self-service facilities for passenger check-in processing and bag drops.
For example, up to 10 bag drop kiosks could be installed at Taipei Main Station when the new MRT line between Taipei and the Taoyuan airport opens next March, he said.
That would allow passengers to check their luggage even before they arrive at the airport, and has the potential to increase the airport’s annual capacity by 1 million passengers, Fei said.
New third terminal
Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners design has been chosen for the new third terminal, expected to open in 20102.
The design of the third terminal will focus on creating a unique passenger experience.
The concept behind the design will be to use every corner of the Terminal 3 complex, which will include a multi-function building that will mainly accommodate retailers and entertainment providers.
There will also be a plaza that connects the terminal and the multi-function building so a spacious area will be available for public use.
The third terminal itself will also take an unconventional approach by integrating the arrival area into the much-larger departure area so that all passengers can fully appreciate the building.
The travel experiences of arriving passengers are often overlooked and are often located at lower levels, preventing travelers from having a fuller view of the terminal.
In his project, however, the arrival level is placed above the departure level and designed like a balcony so that all passengers could appreciate the ceiling that will be decorated with pedal installations.
Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners defeated more than 300 design companies from 13 countries and regions to win the NT$74.6 billion (US$2.29 billion) project, because of what the jury described as the bid’s innovative planning and highly efficient traffic flow design.
N.B. Image credit: wikipeia.com
