Competing for cross-strait travelers: EVA Air and UNI Air add 3 new routes in July

▲ EVA Air and UNI Air will launch three new routes to mainland China in July, operated using the A321-200 aircraft. (Photo / Courtesy of EVA Air official website)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

EVA Air and UNI Air have begun launching new routes from Taoyuan to Shijiazhuang, Taoyuan to Wenzhou, and Taoyuan to Taiyuan starting in July. To celebrate the inauguration of these new routes, EVA Air held a joint inaugural ceremony at Taoyuan Airport today (July 1).

EVA Air stated that the three new routes will commence operations on July 1, 6, and 7 respectively, all operated using the A321-200 aircraft, which features 8 business class seats and 176 economy class seats. For the initial phase of the Shijiazhuang route, passenger demand will primarily come from local Hebei residents traveling to Taiwan, with all seats initially sold through a local travel agency under a block charter arrangement. The route will begin with one weekly flight every Tuesday to cultivate demand, increasing to twice weekly starting September 2.

EVA Air analyzed that Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi Province, saw only about 10,000 visitors to Taiwan in 2010, but this number rapidly grew to nearly 75,000 in 2013, and is expected to surge further to over 100,000 in 2014. The opening of the Taiyuan route not only meets the transportation needs of local Shanxi residents traveling to Taiwan, but also enables Taiwanese travel agencies to design historical and cultural tour packages featuring attractions such as the Yungang Grottoes, Hanging Temple, Pingyao Ancient City, and Mount Wutai, catering to Taiwanese tourists interested in exploring historic sites.

UNI Air further noted that after the launch of the Taoyuan–Wenzhou route, it will operate code-share flights with Air China, offering up to 7 weekly flights and providing more travel options for people traveling between Taiwan and Zhejiang.

To celebrate the inauguration of the Taipei–Wenzhou route, EVA Air and UNI Air have partnered with travel agencies to offer various promotional tour packages. For departures before July 10, a 4-day, 3-night trip starts from just NT$15,888, while an 8-day Jiangnan tour is available from NT$23,800. The Taoyuan–Taiyuan route mainly offers 7–8 day tour products starting from NT$31,400. Additionally, in combination with the weekly four flights on the Taoyuan–Zhengzhou route, a tour featuring different entry and exit points is launched to offer an in-depth Central Plains cultural experience, with a 7-day, 6-night package starting from NT$22,500.