TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan saw 28.48 million international air passengers in the first half of this year, putting the country on track to potentially break its all-time annual record.

Civil Aviation Administration said in a press release Tuesday it projects total passenger traffic will hit between 54.98 million and 61.78 million by year-end, possibly surpassing the pre-pandemic peak of 59.92 million in 2019. It attributed the rise to new aircraft deliveries, better route strategies, growing international interest in Taiwan, and incentives like airport subsidies, per CNA.

CAA Air Transport Division Director Hsieh Chin-mei (謝金玫) said the January–June figure represents about 95% of 2019 levels. This summer’s schedule has 2,865 international departures per week across 104 destinations — 83 more flights than the winter schedule.

Japan accounts for the most flights at 812 per week, followed by Southeast Asia, at 714. Routes to Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America have all exceeded 2019 traffic, with the Middle East seeing the sharpest growth at 93%.

Cross-strait travel is recovering more slowly, Hsieh said. Routes to Hong Kong and Macau are back to 91% of previous levels, while China flights have recovered to just 51%, with 311 weekly departures to 15 cities.

Hsieh said demand is expected to remain strong through the summer and into the holidays, with more new routes launching later this year, increasing the chance of a new international traffic record.