(CNA file photo)

Taipei, Dec. 20 (CNA) Passengers handled by the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport so far this year had reached 40 million as of Dec. 13, airport authorities said Tuesday, adding that they expect the number to hit 42 million by the end of this year.

Breaking the 40 million threshold also means that the airport now falls into the same category in terms of size along with airports including Changi Airport in Singapore, Hong Kong International Airport, and Incheon International Airport in South Korea.

This, in turn, means that the country's main gateway will now have to compete with them in evaluations conducted by organizations such as the Airports Council International, the airport authorities said.

It is the fifth consecutive year in which the airport has recorded growth in passenger numbers.

(By Bien Chin-feng and Lee Hsin-Yin)
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