Transportation Minister Lin Chia-lung said Tuesday the ministry has prepared a number of measures to help lessen the economic impact of the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic on Taiwan's airline industry. 

The industry has suffered a heavy blow since the outbreak. Taiwan’s flagship China Airlines said it has canceled half of its flights in March. The total number of cancellations is 6,500 and counting. The company said it will implement contingency plans if the decline continues. The employees’ union, on the other hand, has called on industry officials and the government not to implement downsizing measures.

Transportation Minister Lin Chia-lung said the ministry has earmarked a special budget to help subsidize fees and rental costs for Taiwan’s airlines. Lin also said he hopes the airlines would encourage employees to go on leave and join training programs during the slump rather than resort to downsizing its staff.