[Politics] Unboxing Taoyuan Airport Terminal 3 Construction, Chen Shih-kai Hopes to Present it to the Public by the End of Next Year

Following the initial opening of the North Concourse of Taoyuan Airport Terminal 3 (T3) at the end of last year, the main terminal building, equivalent to 3 Taipei Domes or 3 Taipei 101 buildings, also completed its topping-out in the first half of this year. Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-kai led the media on an "unboxing" tour of the T3 construction today (16th), expressing hope that this brand-new terminal can be presented to the public by the end of next year. #RTI reporter Wu Li-chun reporting# Taoyuan Airport's passenger traffic is expected to exceed 49 million person-times this year, setting a new historical record. The proportion of transit passengers from Southeast Asia to North America has also increased to nearly 20%. The overall output value of the free trade port area has doubled, driven by Taiwan's high-tech industry, and the second phase of the free trade port area is under construction, indicating that Taoyuan Airport has become an Asia-Pacific hub airport. The completion and opening of Taoyuan Airport Terminal 3, with an investment of NT$128.373 billion, has become a focal point of public attention. Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-kai (center) inspects the construction progress of Taoyuan Airport Terminal 3 on the 16th, accompanied by the team led by Chairman of Taoyuan International Airport Corporation Yang Wei-fu (center left). (Photo by Wu Li-chun) On the 16th, Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-kai specifically led the media to "unbox" the main terminal project, designed by the team of British architect Richard Rogers, winner of the 2007 Pritzker Prize, and stated that he hopes this brand-new terminal can be presented to the public by the end of 2027. Chen Shih-kai said: "(Original sound) Because our T3 terminal, like the Tamsui-Kavalan Bridge, was designed by internationally renowned designers; that is to say, we are achieving an international-class, and even a top-tier airport. In the future, we hope that by the end of next year, all our citizens can see our T3 terminal, a brand-new, latest-generation airport. Because Taoyuan Airport has already become an Asia-Pacific hub airport, and in the future, with the establishment of this terminal, our overall throughput and transport capacity will increase, and our flights, destinations, and routes will also increase. Therefore, the growth of passenger and cargo volume for the entire Taoyuan Airport in the future is very promising." Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-kai (center) poses for a photo with accompanying Taoyuan International Airport Corporation Chairman Yang Wei-fu (center left), Taoyuan International Airport Corporation General Manager Fan Hsiao-lun (center), and Director-General of the Maritime and Port Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications Han Chen-hua (4th from right) and others at the construction site after inspecting the construction progress of Taoyuan Airport Terminal 3 on the 16th. (Photo by Wu Li-chun) Chen Shih-kai emphasized that the T3 terminal, with 4 floors above ground and 3 floors below ground, is Taiwan's largest public building since the Ten Major Construction Projects. The wave-shaped roof, supported by 16 banyan-tree-like giant steel structures, is 414 meters long and 242 meters wide, equivalent to 16 football fields, or 3 Taipei Domes, or 3 Taipei 101 buildings laid horizontally. Currently, in addition to the North Concourse which was opened on Christmas last year, the main terminal has completed its topping-out and glass curtain wall in the first half of this year, with interior decoration expected to commence in the second half of the year. Latest construction progress inside Taoyuan Airport Terminal 3 revealed. (Photo by Wu Li-chun) Latest construction progress inside Taoyuan Airport Terminal 3 revealed. (Photo by Wu Li-chun) Chen Shih-kai also explained that T3 will not only be the largest indoor space in Taiwan, but its cloud-shaped ceiling will also be the largest ceiling in Taiwan. In addition to the 10 kilometers of roof drainage pipes, 139,000 cloud-shaped ceiling panels are being installed, which are expected to provide passengers with a more comfortable and amazing experience. Furthermore, the number of manual check-in counters is 60-70% more than in Terminals 1 and 2, and a large number of self-service check-in counters have been added. Coupled with 18 large elevators, the aim is to make travel more convenient for the public. (Editor: Sung Wan-yuan) Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-kai led the media to "unbox" the construction progress of Taoyuan Airport Terminal 3 on the 16th, expressing hope that this brand-new terminal can be presented to the public by the end of next year. (Photo by Wu Li-chun) A corner of the wave-shaped roof of Taoyuan Airport Terminal 3 seen from the outside. (Photo by Wu Li-chun) A corner of the wave-shaped roof of Taoyuan Airport Terminal 3 seen from the outside. (Photo by Wu Li-chun) Latest construction progress inside Taoyuan Airport Terminal 3 revealed. (Photo by Wu Li-chun) Latest construction progress inside Taoyuan Airport Terminal 3 revealed. (Photo by Wu Li-chun)