Hengchun Airport, (also known as a Pingtung Airport) a small airport situated in southern Taiwan, is seeking to revitalize its operations by arranging chartered flights. Located in Pingtung County, the airport is conveniently close to Kenting National Park, which boasts Kenting’s renowned beaches.
Despite its establishment in 2004, Hengchun Airport has encountered various obstacles, resulting in a decrease in passenger numbers.
Presently, the local government is preparing to implement a new strategy to attract more international travelers and boost passenger traffic.
However, after the pandemic, there were few recent attempts to revitalize operations and make at least some activity to return operations back to Pingtung.
Thus, as Taiwanplus reported in this video, last july of 2022, for the first time in recent years several small and light aircrafts landed to Hengchun Aiport.
Before this event, the airport was long suspended since 2014, mainly because of strong crosswinds, especially downslope wind that we mentioned several times in our blog, which from one side, makes it suitable for agriculture, appeared to be very bad for small aircraft landings.
Another exciting event that happened not so long ago was an international test flight arriving from the Philippines to Hengchun Aiport.
International test flight arrives at Hengchun Airport from Philippines in 2020.
Anticipating spectators eagerly awaited the arrival of an aircraft originating from the Philippines. The Platinum Skies chartered jet successfully touched down at Hengchun Airport but remained stationary on the runway.
Surprisingly, no one exited the aircraft. Despite having the capacity to accommodate 31 passengers, the plane is was devoid of any occupants.
The Pingtung County Government finds the flight to be a refreshing development, akin to a revitalizing breath of air. It marked the inaugural international test flight on a recently established route designed to bring passengers from the Philippines.
According to Pingtung County Magistrate Pan Meng-an, (at that time pan Meng-an was in office) the initial plan was to operate these flights on a weekly basis. However, due to the impact of the pandemic, these plans were put on hold.
Magistrate Pan expressed optimism that the flights can proceed as originally intended once travel restrictions are lifted. Well, a few years later now in 2023 we know that nothing much has changed and airport remains shut.
From the current events, we can mention 2023 Pingtung 3D Ironman Experience Carnival, taking place from May 27th to July 2nd, which combines 3D experiences on land, sea, and air.
The event spans across the northern, central, and southern regions of Pingtung County. The first series of activities will be held on May 27th and 28th at Hengchun Airport, with a focus on ultralight aircraft.
According to the Pingtung County Government’s Department of Transportation and Tourism, the 2023 Pingtung 3D Ironman Experience Carnival opened yesterday at Gaoshu Jiehao Flying Field. Seven ultralight aircraft flew directly from Gaoshu Jiehao Flying Field to Hengchun Airport, allowing participants to appreciate Pingtung’s beautiful mountains and seas from different perspectives of land, sea, and air.
The Department of Transportation and Tourism indicated that this year’s series of activities will take place from May 27th to July 2nd, covering the northern, central, and southern regions of Pingtung.
The first event will be held at Hengchun Airport on May 27th and 28th, with a focus on experiencing ultralight aircraft.
Beautiful mountains and seas of Pingtung by taking a direct flight from Gaoshu Jiehao Flying Field to Hengchun Airport in an ultralight aircraft.
The current vision of the airport’s future still is not clear. According to its official website:
The Civil Aviation Administration of the Ministry of Communications has invested a total of NT$ 539 million to handle drainage, runway, aprons, road systems, parking lots, terminal towers, staff quarters, pipelines and miscellaneous projects, to built Hengchun Airport as a leisure and sightseeing function airport.Hengchun Airport can provide more secure, convenient and comfortable high-quality air transport services to meet the needs of the public travel.
Basic Information and facts of Hengchun Airport
| IATA Code | HCN |
|---|---|
| ICAO Code | RCKW |
| Opening Date | 2004.01.12. |
| Geographical Location | Hengchun Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan (R.O.C.) |
| East Longitude | 120° 43′ 49” E |
| North Latitude | 22° 02′ 27” N |
| Total Area | 119 hectares（civil aviation area 77.83 hectares） |
| Elevation | 13 meters above mean sea level |
| Runway | 1,700m(L) x30m(W) |
| Aerodrome reference code | 3C |
| Parking Bays | 3(airplanes), 2helicopters) |
Hengchun Airport terminal layout scheme
Flight pass in Hengchun Airport
Important Facts About Hengchun Airport
- Direction and distance from (city): 4KM NORTH of HENGCHUN TOWNSHIP.
- Elevation/Reference temperature: 46 FT / 31° C
- Types of traffic permitted (IFR/VFR): VFR
- Cargo-handling facilities: By Airlines
- AD category for fire fighting: CAT %
- Rescue equipment: Two 1500-gallon fire engines, equipped in accordance with CAT 5.