Taipei:Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an has proposed relocating Taipei Songshan Airport to make way for an "AI park" on its current site. Chiang, representing the Kuomintang (KMT), suggests transforming the 300-hectare area into an industrial and residential hub, potentially generating around NT$12 trillion annually and accommodating 65,000 jobs and 35,000 residents. Although he did not specify a new location for the airport, he noted the ongoing expansion of Taoyuan International Airport could eventually replace Songshan's capacity.

According to Focus Taiwan, the proposal sparked criticism from Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) challenger Puma Shen, who questioned Chiang's actions during his decade as a legislator and mayor to advance this initiative. Shen highlighted that Chiang had previously dismissed similar proposals as election promises when made by others.

Chiang's plan also faced opposition from various political figures. KMT Penghu magistrate candidate Chen Chen-chung and DPP candidate Wu Shu-chin criticized the idea, stressing Songshan Airport's importance for transportation to and from outlying islands. Lienchiang magistrate candidate Wang Chung-ming expressed concerns about prioritizing AI development over residents' interests.

Deputy Transportation Minister Chen Yen-po and Deputy Interior Minister Ma Shih-yuan commented that the Taipei city government had not consulted their ministries before announcing the plan. Chen emphasized the airport's critical role in international and domestic connectivity, while Ma noted its importance for search-and-rescue operations in northern Taiwan. Both officials called for a careful assessment of the proposal's implications.