Taiwan Taoyuan Airport Terminal 3 Could See Partial Opening as Early as This Year! — A First Look at 4 Key Features and Stunning Architectural Design
- 信義開發 ESG
- Aug 12
- 4 min read
As Taiwan’s busiest and largest airport, Taoyuan International Airport is undergoing a major expansion with the construction of Terminal 3 to meet the growing passenger demand. Scheduled for completion in 2027, the project recently brought exciting news: part of the terminal is expected to open as early as September this year, including the North Concourse, which will connect to Terminal 2.
Earliest Opening for Taoyuan Terminal 3
The new Terminal 3, located between Terminal 2 and the China Airlines headquarters, began construction in 2017 with an investment of over NT$95 billion. With overall progress now at 78%, the Ministry of Transportation recently announced a phased opening plan. In the first phase, the North Concourse will be completed and begin trial operations by the end of 2025—though reports suggest that some facilities may open as early as September. This addition will provide 7–8 new boarding gates, helping to better distribute passenger flow, improve efficiency, and reduce immigration and boarding times.
Four Key Highlights of Taoyuan International Airport’s Terminal 3
The Terminal 3 Area Development Project is Taiwan’s largest single investment since the Ten Major Construction Projects. It is jointly designed by UK engineering consultancy ARUP, UK-based architecture firm Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, Taiwan’s CEC International Corp., and Fei & Cheng Associates. The terminal’s architectural form draws inspiration from Taiwan’s undulating mountain ranges and the grandeur of ocean waves, bringing a fresh new image to Taoyuan International Airport as the gateway to Taiwan.
This large-scale project includes: the addition of Terminal 3, new boarding gates and concourses, a multi-function building, service road systems, aprons, taxiways, and an Automated People Mover (APM) system—all aimed at creating a green, low-carbon, smart airport.
01. Design Inspired by Taiwan’s Mountain Ranges
The most distinctive feature of Terminal 3’s design is its integration of imagery from Taiwan’s rolling mountains and sweeping ocean waves. The wave-shaped roofline evokes a chain of mountains, while the flowing contours of the ceiling resemble shifting clouds in the sky. This design ensures that from the moment passengers step inside, they are greeted with a sense of Taiwan’s unique natural landscape.
In a passenger-first approach, the design team also reversed the conventional arrangement of arrival and departure levels to optimize comfort and convenience, creating an adaptable interior space that balances both lively and tranquil zones.
02. Digital Processes to Enhance Efficiency
To improve passenger travel efficiency, Terminal 3 not only reconfigures its spatial layout—reversing the departure and arrival levels—but also uses 3D modeling to simulate passenger behavior in the new terminal, ensuring maximum capacity and operational performance.
A range of digitalized processes will be introduced, including technology-based check-in, advanced security scanning, e-gates, and an automated people mover (APM) system. By integrating these processes through simulation modeling, passengers will enjoy a faster, smarter, and more seamless immigration and travel experience within Terminal 3.
03. Expansive Green Walls for a Sustainable Terminal
From its inception, Terminal 3’s design has prioritized energy conservation and carbon reduction, with the goal of achieving LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. One of its most striking eco-friendly features is the expansive green walls on its north and south façades.
Aiming to create an ecological green building on par with Singapore’s Changi Airport, these living walls not only provide sound insulation but also offer lush, vibrant scenery—bringing passengers a refreshing visual experience while enhancing the building’s environmental performance.
04. Capacity to Handle 45 Million Passengers Annually
According to data released by ARUP, Terminal 3 will have a total floor area of 540,000 square meters (approximately 163,350 ping) and is expected to accommodate 45 million passengers per year. If completed and operational as planned in 2027, the new terminal will not only ease congestion in Terminals 1 and 2 but also present a renewed gateway image for Taiwan.
In the Skytrax global airport rankings announced earlier this year, Taoyuan International Airport showed improvement but still ranked only 66th in 2024. It is hoped that with the launch of Terminal 3, the airport will achieve a much higher position on the list.
Source：食尚玩家
