After its last scheduled flight took off nearly three years ago, the Far Eastern Air Transport is planning to resume its chartered flight services before the Chinese New Year. But the Civil Aeronautic Administration cautioned that the airlines must first solve its 500 million NT dollar capital shortage before an operation license can be issued.

It has been three years since Fareastern Air Transport suspended its operation, and now, it is ready to take the sky again.

The airline test flight from Taipei international airport took off for Kinmen, carrying 43 employees as passengers and 6 supervisors from the Civil Aeronautic Administration for flight inspection.

According to the CAA, the test flight was a success.

Last week, the Ministry of Transportation and communications passed the proposal submitted by FAT for operation, saying that the company has be on track and ready to begin service again, however, it is short of the fund needed for approval.

After that, it will be able to first service off shore islands of Kinmen and Penghu with charter flights before the Chinese New Year holiday.

For FAT to get the operating license back, it would need a guarantee fund of NT$2 billion, which includes NT$515 million for domestic routes, NT$ 675 million as operation guarantee fund and others; it is currently short of NT$500 million.

FAT promise that the fund will be gathered in time for Chinese new year peak season to start its charter flights, with Taipei to Kinen ticket price set at less than NT$2,000, and as for regular scheduled flights, the airlines might need to wait until after the Chinese new year holiday period.

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