Independent travel is booming as Chinese low-cost carrier Spring Airlines competes to launch direct flights to Hualien

Travel Center / Taipei Reporting

Mainland China's Spring Airlines plans to open a new Shanghai Pudong–Hualien route, offering direct flights between the two cities. Hualien County Magistrate Fu Kun-chi expressed optimism about the plan and suggested bundling attractions such as Taroko Gorge and Qixingtan Beach into travel packages. Wang Shuyu, General Manager of Spring Airlines Taiwan Branch, visited Hualien County Magistrate Fu Kun-chi on the 19th to discuss Spring Airlines' efforts to establish a Shanghai Pudong–Hualien route, aiming to overcome the current cap on mainland China routes by launching direct flights ahead of schedule.


▲ Spring Airlines. (Photo / Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

Wang Shuyu noted that Spring Airlines, a privately-owned low-cost carrier originally founded as a travel agency, adheres to the consistent marketing strategy of “simple travel, premium stays.” The low-cost airline offers discounted fares and partners with local five-star hotels to target the high-spending independent travel market. Currently, both domestic and international flight occupancy rates are as high as 97% and 98%.

Wang Shuyu pointed out that Spring Airlines will strive to break through existing restrictions in mainland China by securing special exceptions via chartered flights to obtain flight rights to Hualien. He hopes to gain local support to launch the route ahead of schedule. Fu Kun-chi stated that if Spring Airlines' “simple travel, premium stays” concept could be combined with Taiwan’s high-quality scenic spots—including Taroko Gorge and Qixingtan Beach—to create 5 to 7-day refined travel packages, there is promising tourism potential once direct flights between the two destinations are established. (News source: Central News Agency)