Cross-Strait air passengers decline amid dwindling mainland tourists

TAIPEI, Nov. 12 -- Taiwanese transportation authorities said Friday cross-Strait air passenger traffic had declined significantly in the past few months, as Chinese mainland tourists shunned travel to the island.

From August to September, air passengers between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan fell to 1.72 million from 1.95 million in the same period a year ago, authorities data showed.

In the first nine months, there were 8.66 million air travelers, compared with 8.72 million the same period a year ago.

The number of mainland tourists has dropped since Taiwan's leader Tsai Ing-wen took office in May. The island's tourist administration had released earlier estimates that mainland tourists had decreased by 28.4 percent in the third quarter from a year ago.

Facing declining travelers, some airlines in Taiwan and mainland have reduced cross-strait flights.