• By Tsai Yun-jung
  and Esme Yeh / Staff reporters

A trial run of the north concourse of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport’s new Terminal 3 is to commence today, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said yesterday.

The eight additional boarding gates would allow for more aircraft parking spaces that are expected to boost the airport’s capacity by 5.8 million passengers annually, Deputy Minister of Transportation and Communications Lin Kuo-shian (林國顯) said.

The concourse, designed by a team led by British architect Richard Rogers, provides a refreshing space, Lin said, adding that travelers would enjoy the tall and transparent design that allows sunshine to stream into the concourse through glass curtain walls.

Photo courtesy of Taoyuan International Airport Corp

The other two terminals have a total capacity of 37 million passengers, which is insufficient to meet increasing demand.

Terminal 3 is under construction in phases and is projected to be fully completed by 2027, providing additional capacity for 45 million passengers, further increasing the airport’s overall capacity to 82 million passengers per year, the ministry said.

Travelers can use eight new boarding gates, with eight departure lounges, D11 to D18, it said.

It is only a 15-minute walk from Terminal 2 to the farthest boarding gate at the concourse thanks to moving walkways, it added.

Shuttles are also available for people with reduced mobility.

Travelers departing from the north concourse must check in and go through customs from Terminal 2, as the main structure of Terminal 3 has yet to be completed.

Those who arrive at the concourse would also collect their luggage at Terminal 2.

Additional reporting by CNA