TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwanese travelers are still eligible for the automated immigration clearance treatment at Germany’s Frankfurt Airport via its EasyPass system for the time being, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Sunday, despite the icon of the nation’s flag having been covered up on the airport’s signboards.

Since last summer Taiwanese passport holders have qualified for Germany’s EasyPass system when departing from Frankfurt and Munich airports, where the automated system had been implemented, MOFA announced last December.

The country was among the 10 non-European nations, including Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, Singapore, and South Korea, to be granted the treatment. MOFA said at that time Taiwan was included in the program on a trial basis.

However, photos shared to social media in the past few days show that “Taiwan” and the icon of the nation’s flag have been covered up on the signboards at Frankfurt Airport, sparkling speculation that the country’s participation in the expedited immigration clearance program had been suspended.

MOFA Spokesperson Andrew Lee (李憲章) confirmed Sunday that the trial treatment granted to Taiwan concluded at the end of 2018, reported the Central News Agency. However, Taiwanese passport holders are still eligible for the EasyPass system at both Frankfurt and Munich airports for the time being, said Lee.

After making an inquiry into the matter, Taiwan’s representative office in Frankfurt was told by Germany’s federal authorities that adjustments to the airport signboards are being made following the expiration of the trial period, added Lee.



The original signboard with Taiwan flag icon (Photo shared to 爆料公社)