A lot of people are missing travelling right now because of the pandemic and lockdown restrictions.
However, one Taiwanese airport as come up with a solution to help those missing this popular activity. At Taipei's downtown Songshan airport one can get a fake itinerary where one can check-in, go through security and even board the aircraft. The only catch is - you just never leave.
The airport is giving the chance to people to travel, along with 60 others butĄ to nowhere.?
Around 7,000 people applied to take part, and the winners chosen randomly. More fake flight experiences will take place in the future.?
"I really want to leave the country, but because of the epidemic lots of flights can't fly," Reuters quoted Hsiao Chun-wei, 38, as saying. She brought her young son.
The entire process was very real apparently. Passengers got boarding passes, proceeded through security and immigration then boarded an Airbus A330 of Taiwan's largest carrier, China Airlines, where flight attendants even chatted with them.
"I hope the epidemic ends soon so we can really fly away," a 48-year-old woman who reportedly said.?
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The airport is using the occasion to show off renovations completed by them while the passengers were away and also acquaint people with what coronavirus-prevention steps they are taking.
Songshan has flights to Tokyo, Seoul and many Chinese cities. It is also an important domestic hub.
Taiwan, the neighbour of the? People's Republic of China, is one of the few countries that has been lauded worldwide for its quick action against the coronavirus outbreak and successful containment.?
Thanks to early and effective plans like closing off borders Taiwan has been able to control the virus spread. Citizens have been advised against overseas travel unless 'absolutely necessary.Ą¯
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Because of the coronavirus fewer flights have been operating and passenger numbers have plummeted by 64% in the first five months of 2020 compared with the same period in 2019.?However, internal travel is reportedly on a rise.
Reuters reports Taiwan's two main domestic carriers - China Airlines unit Mandarin Airlines and Eva Air's Uni Air - have added extra capacity over the summer to Taiwan's sun-soaked offshore islands and rugged east coast.
Well, whatever keeps the people satisfied and away from needless ĄŽactualĄ¯ travel.?
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