Taiwan and Palau to launch air-travel bubble; success in coronavirus fight makes link between allies possible

The scheme will involve two flights a week, and will require negative Covid-19 tests for travellers from Taiwan

Palau, in Micronesia, is one of 15 countries with official ties to Taiwan, and has not seen a single Covid-19 infection

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A travel air bubble between Taiwan and Palau will open on April 1. Taroko National Park in Taiwan. Photo: Getty Images

Published: 2:15pm, 18 Mar 2021Updated: 10:12am, 19 Mar 2021

Taiwan and its southern Pacific ally, Palau, will inaugurate a much anticipated air-travel bubble from April 1, hoping to revive their economies and tourism industries hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

Palau is one of 15 countries that maintain official ties with Taiwan and has reported no Covid-19 infections since the virus’ outbreak. As of Wednesday, Taiwan had 990 confirmed cases, with 10 deaths, according to data from the Central Epidemic Command Centre.

Calling the air-travel bubble plan “the first in the Asia-Pacific region”, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu told a press conference at the Central Epidemic Command Centre that Palau’s new president, Surangel Whipps Jnr, would travel to Taiwan on March 28, a few days ahead of the official launch.

“It will be President Whipps’ first overseas trip after taking office in January, and the first foreign leader Taiwan has received since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Wu said.

Whipps has been advocating for the establishment of a “sterile corridor” with Taiwan as a way to revive their economies and travel industries, Wu added.

Palau, a nation consisting of approximately 340 islands, has not recorded a single case of Covid-19 since the pandemic began. Photo: Getty Images

According to Wu, talks started last year as both have successfully kept the Covid-19 pandemic in check. However, negotiations were put on hold due to Palau’s concerns about its low medical capacity.