Far Eastern Air Transport

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Far Eastern Air Transport
IATA ICAO Callsign
FE FEA FAR EASTERN
Founded
  • Part 1: June 5, 1957 (1957-06-05)
  • Part 2: April 18, 2011 (2011-04-18)
Ceased operations
  • Part 1: May 13, 2008 (2008-05-13)
  • Part 2: December 13, 2019 (2019-12-13)
HubsTaipei Songshan Airport
Fleet size12
Destinations19 (scheduled)
HeadquartersTaipei, Taiwan
Key people張綱維 (pinyin: Zhāng Gāngwéi; Chairperson and Majority Owner)
Far Eastern Air Transport
Traditional Chinese遠東航空

FAT Taiwan Inc., (Chinese: 遠東航空) doing business as Far Eastern Air Transport (FAT), was an airline with its head office in Songshan District, Taipei, Taiwan (Republic of China).[1]

FAT headquarters

Established in 1957, it operated domestic services from Taipei and Kaohsiung to five regional cities and international services to Southeast Asia, South Korea and Palau. Its main base was Taipei Songshan Airport.[2] After a succession of financial crises in early 2008, the airline publicly announced its bankruptcy and stopped all flights with effect from 13 May 2008.[3] The airline recommenced operations on 18 April 2011. The airline emerged from bankruptcy restructuring on 16 October 2015. The airline continued to face financial problems, and operations were halted from 13 December 2019.

History[edit]

Far Eastern Air Transport Sud Aviation Caravelle in 1972.

The airline was established in 1957 and started operations in November the same year. It originally focused on charter flights until the introduction of scheduled services in January 1965. For the next 30 years the airline was the No. 1 carrier on Taiwanese domestic routes and was granted the right to fly regular international flights in 1996, from Kaohsiung International Airport to Palau and Subic Bay. It started cargo operations in the Asian region in 2004. Beginning in 2004, FAT invested in the Cambodian airline, Angkor Airways. Angkor Airways subsequently shut down flight operations on 9 May 2009.[4]

Due to ever-rising fuel prices and Taiwan High Speed Rail's inauguration, the airline suffered financial losses from early 2007 and the situation was seriously worsened by poor financial management and risky investments. On 13 February 2008 FAT failed to pay USD 848,000 it owed to the International Clearing House, a financial subsidiary of the International Air Transport Association (IATA); and IATA cancelled the airline's membership as a result. Although a local court granted FAT's restructuring application on 23 February 2008, in the next three months it still failed to obtain the necessary funds and the company's bankruptcy protection expired on 22 May. FAT had stopped paying employee salaries but the staff were still on duty as of May 2008 because they wanted to try to save the company but some were saying they could not hold on much longer.[5]

On 27 November 2010, a McDonnell Douglas MD-83 of FAT began flight test at Taipei Songshan Airport at 10am, marking the airline's return to the skies. The aviation authority in Taiwan granted a test flight license to FAT but required an additional test flight and NT$ 50 million as deposit before re-granting an airline operating license.[6][7] The airline restarted its services on 18 April 2011.[8] Far Eastern Air Transport announced a stoppage affecting all operations on 13 December 2019.[9][10] However, the next day, the company chairman rescinded the statement.[11][12] Transportation minister Lin Chia-lung confirmed on 16 December 2019 that Far Eastern Air Transport had in fact ceased operations, and had to discuss resuming services with the Civil Aeronautics Administration.[13][14] In January 2020, the Civil Aeronautics Administration recommended to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications that Far Easter Air Transport's air operator certificate be revoked.[15] Later that month, company chairman Chang Kang-wei stated that a group of people led by Tsai Meng-che offered to invest in Far Eastern Air Transport if the government lifted flight restrictions.[16] Following the announcement, a number of FAT employees petitioned the government, asking relevant authorities to lift restrictions on the airline.[17] The Ministry of Transportation and Communications formally revoked Far Eastern Air Transport's air operator certificate on 31 January 2020.[18]

Destinations[edit]

Far Eastern Air Transport operated the following services when it ceased operations in December 2019:

Country City Airport Notes Refs
Cambodia Siem Reap Siem Reap International Airport Charter
China Chengdu Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
Fuzhou Fuzhou Changle International Airport [19]
Guilin Guilin Liangjiang International Airport
Haikou Haikou Meilan International Airport Terminated
Hohhot Hohhot Baita International Airport Terminated [20]
Hefei Hefei Luogang Airport Airport Closed
Hefei Xinqiao International Airport [21]
Nanning Nanning Wuxu International Airport
Shijiazhuang Shijiazhuang Zhengding International Airport Terminated [22]
Taiyuan Taiyuan Wusu International Airport [22]
Tianjin Tianjin Binhai International Airport [23]
Wuhan Wuhan Tianhe International Airport Terminated
Xiamen Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport [24]
Yichang Yichang Sanxia Airport Terminated [24]
Zhengzhou Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport Terminated [24]
Hong Kong Hong Kong Hong Kong International Airport Terminated
Indonesia Denpasar I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport Terminated
Makassar Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport Charter
Japan Fukuoka Fukuoka Airport Terminated [25]
Kumamoto Kumamoto Airport Terminated [25]
Niigata Niigata Airport [26]
Osaka Kansai International Airport Terminated [25]
Macau Macau Macau International Airport Terminated
Malaysia Kota Kinabalu Kota Kinabalu International Airport Terminated
North Korea Pyongyang Pyongyang International Airport Terminated
Palau Koror Roman Tmetuchl International Airport Terminated
Philippines Cebu Mactan–Cebu International Airport Charter Terminated [27]
Laoag Laoag International Airport Terminated
South Korea Busan Gimhae International Airport Terminated
Jeju Jeju International Airport [28]
Seoul Incheon International Airport Terminated
Taiwan Hualien Hualien Airport Terminated
Kaohsiung Kaohsiung International Airport [21]
Kinmen Kinmen Airport
Magong Penghu Airport
Taichung Taichung International Airport [22]
Taipei Taipei Songshan Airport Hub [21]
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport [21]
Tainan Tainan Airport Terminated
Taitung Taitung Airport Terminated
Vietnam Da Nang Da Nang International Airport
Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport Terminated

Fleet[edit]

Far Eastern Air Transport ATR 72-600
Far Eastern Air Transport MD-82 at Taipei Songshan Airport

As of December 2019, Far Eastern Air Transport operated the following aircraft:[29]

Far Eastern Air Transport fleet
Aircraft In
service 		Orders Passengers Notes
Y Total
ATR 72-600 6 — 70 70
McDonnell Douglas MD-82 4 — 165 165
McDonnell Douglas MD-83 2 — 165 165
Total 12 —

Far Eastern Air Transport reached a deal to lease two Boeing 737-800s, one new and one used, from Air Lease Corporation in 2015,[30][31] but a contract dispute over the condition of the used aircraft prevented both from entering service.[32]

Previously operated[edit]

Incidents and accidents[edit]

  • On 15 February 1969, Douglas DC-3 B-241 was damaged beyond economic repair in an accident at Kaohsiung International Airport, Taiwan.[33]
  • On 24 February 1969, Far Eastern Air Transport Flight 104, a Handley Page Dart Herald, crashed near Tainan City. All 36 passengers and crew on board were killed.[34]
  • On 24 April 1969, Douglas DC-3 B-251 was damaged beyond economic repair in a landing accident at Phan Thiết Airport, Vietnam. All 31 passengers and crew survived.[35]
  • On 20 February 1970, Douglas DC-3 B-243 crashed into a mountain shortly after take-off from Taipei Songshan Airport. The aircraft was operating a cargo flight, both crew were killed.[36]
  • On 7 October 1974, a Vickers Viscount was the subject of an attempted hijacking. The hijacker was overpowered and the aircraft landed at its intended destination of Taipei Songshan Airport.[37]
  • On 31 July 1975, Vickers Viscount B-2029 of Far Eastern Air Transport crashed at Taipei Songshan Airport, killing 27 of the 75 people on board.[38]
  • On 16 April 1977, Douglas DC-3 B-247 was damaged beyond economic repair in a landing accident at Tainan Airport.[39]
  • On 22 August 1981, Far Eastern Air Transport Flight 103, a Boeing 737, broke up in flight. Severe corrosion in the fuselage structure led to an explosive decompression and breakup at high altitude. All 110 on board were killed.[40]
  • On March 13, 2019, flight FE321 from Taipei to Kalibo, Aklan veered from the runway into muddy fields upon landing at Kalibo International Airport at 6:05 in the evening local Philippine time.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Home page Archived 2008-12-18 at the Wayback Machine. Far Eastern Air Transport. Retrieved on January 6, 2011. "地址：台北市敦化北路405巷123弄5號 " - Map()
  2. ^ "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. 2007-04-03. p. 81.
  3. ^ "FAT temporarily halts operations". Taipei Times. 13 May 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  4. ^ http://www.libertytimes.com.tw/2008/new/may/1/today-life1-2.htm
  5. ^ "Taiwan court rejects FAT's plea for further bankruptcy protection". www.flightglobal.com. Archived from the original on 2008-06-02.
  6. ^ 遠航試飛成功 預定農曆年復航 (in Chinese). 2010-11-28. Archived from the original on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2010-12-14.
  7. ^ "CAA approves the resumption of Far Eastern Air flights". Taipei Times. 9 January 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  8. ^ Shan, Shelley (19 April 2011). "Far Eastern flies again after a two-year hiatus". Taipei Times. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
  9. ^ Shan, Shelley (13 December 2019). "CAA asks other carriers to fly FAT passengers home". Taipei Times. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  10. ^ Kao, Shih-ching (13 December 2019). "FAT says flights canceled from today". Taipei Times. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  11. ^ Wu, Hisn-yun; Yu, Hsiao-han; Hsiao, Po-wen; Lin, Chang-shun; Huang, Frances (13 December 2019). "FAT chairman says carrier's services will continue". focustaiwan.tw. Central News Agency. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  12. ^ Kao, Shih-ching; Chien, Hui-ju; Chung, Jake (14 December 2019). "FAT aims to resume operations". Taipei Times. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  13. ^ Shan, Shelley (17 December 2019). "Han must not dodge blame, minister says". Taipei Times. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  14. ^ Shan, Shelley (25 December 2019). "FAT risks losing license if fails to improve: minister". Taipei Times. Retrieved 25 December 2019.
  15. ^ Shan, Shelley (8 January 2020). "Transportation ministry evaluating suggestion to revoke FAT's certificate". Taipei Times. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  16. ^ Shan, Shelley. "FAT says investor ready to inject cash". Taipei Times. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  17. ^ Shan, Shelley (24 January 2020). "Airline staff turn to ministry for help". Taipei Times. Retrieved 24 January 2020.
  18. ^ Yu, Hsiao-han; Wu, Hsin-yun; Huang, Frances (31 January 2020). "FAT's flight permit revoked; government to help workers find jobs". Central News Agency. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  19. ^ "Far Eastern adds new cross-strait routes in 4Q17". Routesonline.
  20. ^ "Far Eastern Air Transport Adds Taichung – Hohhet Service from late-May 2014". airlineroute. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  21. ^ a b c d "Far Eastern Air Transport May 2016 Route Timetable". Far Eastern Air Transport. Archived from the original on 17 August 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  22. ^ a b c "Far Eastern Air Transport Launches New Taichung – China Service from mid-April 2014". airlineroute. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  23. ^ "Far Eastern Air Transport to Start Taipei Song Shan – Tianjin Service from late-January 2014". airlineroute. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  24. ^ a b c "Far Eastern Air Transport Adds New China Routes in May 2014". airlineroute. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  25. ^ a b c "Far Eastern Air Files Preliminary Taiwan – Japan Operations from July 2016". airlineroute. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  26. ^ "Far Eastern adds Niigata service from Nov 2016". routesonline. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
  27. ^ "FAT Resumes Taipei – Cebu Charter Service from October 2013". airlineroute. 2013-08-18. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  28. ^ "Far Eastern Air Transport resumes Taipei – Jeju in Oct 2018". Routesonline. 12 October 2018.
  29. ^ "Far Eastern Air Transport Fleet Details and History". Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  30. ^ "Air Lease Corporation Announces the Placement of One New Boeing 737-800 with Far Eastern Air Transport". Air Lease Corporation. 2015-07-16. Archived from the original on 2015-11-23.
  31. ^ "Air Lease Corporation Announces the Placement of One Boeing 737-800 with Far Eastern Air Transport". Air Lease Corporation. December 15, 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-12-22.
  32. ^ "FAT contract dispute". Central News Agency. The China Post. 2016-07-14. Archived from the original on 2016-10-29. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
  33. ^ "B-241 Accident Description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  34. ^ "Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
  35. ^ "B-251 Accident Description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
  36. ^ "B-243 Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
  37. ^ "Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 8 October 2009.
  38. ^ "Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 8 October 2009.
  39. ^ "B-247 Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
  40. ^ "AIRLINER THAT CRASHED IN TAIWAN, KILLING 110, HAD PRESSURE SNAGS." The New York Times.

External links[edit]

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