The Chinese mainland has reiterated its stance that Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities must remove restrictions hindering the full resumption of cross-strait air travel, emphasizing that current flight volumes remain far below pre-2020 levels. As of April 2026, only 300 weekly round-trip passenger flights operate between 15 mainland airports and the Taiwan region – less than half the peak capacity seen before pandemic-era disruptions.
Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, stated Wednesday that the obstacles to normalized flight operations lie entirely with the DPP authorities, urging them to heed calls from residents and businesses across the strait. Prior to 2020, 61 mainland airports maintained direct links with Taiwan, facilitating up to 890 weekly flights during peak travel periods.
Analysts suggest the limited connectivity impacts family reunions, business operations, and cultural exchanges. With Lunar New Year travel patterns resuming to pre-pandemic norms globally, pressure mounts on Taiwan's leadership to address what mainland officials describe as artificial barriers to regional integration.
