What role did China Airlines play in the presidential smuggling scandal?

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China Airlines' Role in the Presidential Smuggling Scandal

China Airlines, Taiwan's largest carrier, was implicated in a presidential smuggling scandal due to its routine sale of large quantities of duty-free cigarettes to staff accompanying the island's leader on overseas visits. The airline facilitated this practice by allowing pre-orders of these goods for presidential trips, which are often operated via charter flights arranged by the airline itself. The scale of these sales, as revealed by the airline's own figures, far exceeded normal passenger allowances, pointing to a systemic issue within the airline's operations concerning these specific trips.
Routine Sale of Excessive Duty-Free Cigarettes

Figures released by China Airlines demonstrated a pattern of exceptionally high volumes of duty-free cigarettes being ordered in advance of presidential journeys. For instance, during President Tsai Ing-wen's Pacific visit in March, approximately 6,900 cartons were sold to accompanying passengers. Similarly, a trip in August 2018 saw nearly 4,500 cartons purchased. These quantities are significantly higher than what individual travellers are permitted under Taiwanese customs law, which limits passengers to five cartons, with only one being tax-free.
Facilitation of Pre-Ordering Services

The airline's pre-ordering service for duty-free products played a direct role in the smuggling operation. This service allowed for the accumulation of large quantities of cigarettes, which were then intended to be smuggled past customs. The practice occurred across different presidential administrations, with a notable instance under former President Ma Ying-jeou in March 2016, where around 3,700 cartons were sold to passengers on a trip.
Airline's Response and Internal Probe

Following the exposure of the scandal, China Airlines chairman Hsieh Shih-chien issued an apology and announced the discontinuation of the pre-ordering service for duty-free items on future presidential trips. Furthermore, the government has mandated an internal investigation into China Airlines to examine the extent of its involvement and the breakdown in oversight that permitted such practices.

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What role did China Airlines play in the presidential smuggling scandal?

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