TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taipei has confirmed that Taiwanese can still use automated departure clearance at Prague’s airport, following the removal of the Taiwan flag from eGate display screens.
Czech Republic’s Vaclav Havel Airport Prague expanded its automated eGate system on May 15, allowing Taiwanese passport holders to use electronic passport gates when departing for non-Schengen destinations. The system displayed flags of eligible countries, including Taiwan, according to PTS.
Recently, travelers noticed that Taiwan’s flag was no longer displayed, according to SETN. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed with Taiwan News that holders of Taiwanese passports remain eligible to use the eGate system for departure procedures.
The airport told CNA that the change relates only to the system's visual interface and does not affect eligibility or border control procedures. It said the system is undergoing a broader update and that the display format will be standardized to show only country codes instead of flags.
Direct flights between Taipei and Prague, launched in 2023, have supported growing travel between the two sides. Last year, 8,104 visitors from the Czech Republic traveled to Taiwan, while 16,570 Taiwanese traveled to the Czech Republic.
