โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
110
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Hengchun Airport (HCN) is a decommissioned domestic aviation facility located in Hengchun Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan. Built in 2003 at a significant cost, the airport was intended to serve as the primary gateway for tourists visiting the world-famous Kenting National Park and the southern tip of Taiwan. However, the airport faced immediate and persistent challenges due to the region's powerful "Loshuifeng" (katabatic winds), which frequently caused flight cancellations and safety concerns. By 2014, all scheduled commercial services had ceased, making it one of the shortest-lived major infrastructure projects in Taiwan's aviation history.
The terminal building at Hengchun Airport remains a prominent feature of the local landscape, though it is no longer used for passenger flights. During its operational years, the terminal featured a modern, single-level layout with check-in counters, a waiting lounge, and basic amenities designed to handle domestic traffic from Taipei and other regional hubs. The facility included a single 1,700-meter concrete runway and a small parking ramp. Today, while the civilian terminal is defunct, the site is occasionally used for training exercises by the Republic of China Armed Forces and for various community and research activities, including unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) testing.
Although the airport is closed to commercial traffic, it serves as a cautionary tale of the impact of local environmental conditions on aviation planning. The terminal once offered services such as a tourism information counter, wireless internet, and even showers for travelers returning from the nearby beaches. Now, visitors to Kenting National Park primarily use Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) as their aviation gateway, followed by a ground transfer to the south. The Hengchun terminal stands as a quiet monument to the ambition of connecting Taiwan's remote southern peninsula directly to the capital, reflecting the unique meteorological challenges of the Pingtung region.
๐ Connection Tips
Hengchun Airport (HCN) has been closed to commercial operations since 2014; standard Minimum Connection Times (MCT) are no longer applicable. Travelers heading to Kenting National Park or the southern tip of Taiwan must now use Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) as their primary gateway. The most common "connection" for this region is the ground transfer from Kaohsiung to Hengchun, which takes approximately 2 hours via the coastal highway. When arriving internationally at KHH, allow at least 5 hours for the total transition to account for customs, baggage claim, and road travel. Ground transport from Kaohsiung is plentiful, including the efficient "Kenting Express" bus, private taxis, and car rentals.
The express bus links Kaohsiung HSR station and the airport directly to Hengchun and Kenting. If you have a departing flight from Kaohsiung, ensure you leave the south well in advanceโat least 6 hours before an international departureโto navigate potential traffic along the scenic but often congested southern roads. This ensures a stress-free arrival at the KHH terminal for security and check-in. While Hengchun Airport is no longer active for passengers, the town remains a vibrant cultural center.
Layovers in the region are best spent exploring Kentingโs stunning beaches, the Eluanbi Lighthouse, or the local night markets. There are no passenger amenities at HCN, so all logistical arrangements should be made via Kaohsiung. For rebooking or missed connections, contact your airline at Kaohsiung International, as no commercial service desks exist at the defunct Hengchun terminal. The facility serves as a reminder of the unique meteorological challenges posed by the region's strong katabatic winds.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Qimei Airport (CMJ) is a small regional aviation facility located in the Qimei Township of Penghu County, Taiwan. As a primary air link for this remote island in the Taiwan Strait, the airport provides essential transportation for local residents, medical services, and the burgeoning regional tourism industry. It primarily facilitates scheduled domestic flights that connect Qimei with major hubs like Kaohsiung and Magong, using specialized short-takeoff-and-landing (STOL) aircraft.
The terminal building is a modest and functional structure that reflects the community-focused nature of the island. Inside, travelers will find a unified departures and arrivals hall, which includes basic check-in counters and a sheltered waiting area with seating. Amenities at CMJ are focused on the essentials, such as clean restroom facilities and general information signage. Due to its remote location and smaller scale, there are no extensive retail shops or diverse dining options available on-site, so visitors are encouraged to make any necessary food or supply purchases in the township center before their flight.
Operational features at Qimei Airport include a single paved runway (02/20) measuring approximately 840 meters in length, which is designed to support various light and medium-sized general aviation aircraft and small regional turboprops. Navigation through the terminal is exceptionally easy due to its compact and logical layout. For ground transportation, the airport is located within a few kilometers of the main township center, with private vehicle transfers and local motorcycle rentals readily available to transport visitors to their final destination or to explore the island's unique coastal landmarks.
๐ Connection Tips
Qimei Airport (CMJ) is an island airstrip, so your real connection planning needs to focus on weather, boat alternatives, and local ground pickup rather than on terminal wayfinding. The Civil Aviation Administration's Qimei airport pages show a small local airport office with weekday service hours and direct contact numbers for both the airport and Daily Air, the carrier passengers use for flight reservations and schedule issues. That tells you a lot about the airport's scale: this is a practical island facility, not a high-frequency domestic hub with broad rebooking options.
Most travelers use CMJ as the last aviation link between Taiwan's main domestic network and Qimei itself, often routing via Penghu or Kaohsiung depending on the schedule. Once you land, the onward transfer is short and simple, but disruptions can have outsized consequences because island services are limited. Wind and sea conditions can affect both air and ferry planning in the Penghu area, so if you are trying to pair a flight with lodging check-in, scooter rental, or a same-day boat connection, build slack into the itinerary rather than planning to the minute.
Carry the Daily Air contact number and do not assume airport staff are available around the clock. If your trip matters on a fixed date, confirm the latest schedule before heading to the airport and line up your island transport in advance. CMJ works best for travelers who treat it as a weather-sensitive local endpoint and keep their onward plans flexible enough to absorb a delay or cancellation.
โ Back to Hengchun Airport