Taipei: Taiwan’s Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) announced it will impose penalties on China Airlines (CAL), Starlux Airlines, and the Starlux crew after an investigation revealed failures to adhere to established diversion or go-around procedures earlier this year.

According to Focus Taiwan, the investigation into the incidents began following a series of procedural oversights by both airlines. On April 3, a CAL flight from Taipei to Singapore experienced a single-engine failure but returned to Kaohsiung Airport instead of the nearest alternate landing site, leading to some controversy. Although the pilots did not breach any regulations in shutting down the engine mid-flight and diverting, the CAA identified a lack of operational oversight as the company did not opt for the nearest suitable airport.

CAL has acknowledged the need for improvement in its reporting mechanisms for abnormal situations and has revised its flight operations manuals accordingly. The CAA, after reviewing the incident, stated it will impose penalties on CAL.

In a separate incident on March 3, Starlux Airlines faced scrutiny when two pilots failed to execute a go-around maneuver during a flight from Taipei to Clark International Airport in the Philippines. The CAA’s investigation discovered procedural lapses and flaws in the airline’s internal reporting mechanism. Consequently, Starlux Airlines and the pilots involved will receive penalties.

Starlux responded by verifying the facts and reporting the violation to the CAA, while also enhancing pilot training and internal reporting procedures. The two pilots involved have since resigned voluntarily, as stated by Starlux Chairman Chang Kuo-Wei.

The CAA indicated that pilots could face fines ranging from NT$60,000 (US$2,029) to NT$300,000, while airlines might incur penalties between NT$600,000 and NT$3 million. The final penalty amounts are pending a review by the CAA committee.