China Airlines' inaugural flight to Weihai  Chairman Sun Hongxiang: Increase to three weekly flights in September

▲ China Airlines' inaugural flight to Weihai, Shandong on December 31, with Chairman Sun Hongxiang (second from left) attending the celebration event in Weihai. (Photo / Reporter Chen Shichang)

Reporter Chen Shichang / Comprehensive report

China Airlines' new route from Taoyuan to Weihai, Shandong, successfully launched its inaugural flight on the morning of the 31st, with Chairman Sun Hongxiang personally traveling to Weihai to attend the celebration ceremony alongside local officials. Sun expressed strong optimism about the growth of exchanges and tourism between Taiwan and Weihai. He noted that after the runway renovation in Weihai is completed in September 2014, the frequency will increase from the current one weekly flight to three.

The inaugural flight on the 31st was highly valued in Weihai. The Weihai route for China Airlines was originally scheduled to begin in mid-2013 but was postponed to the last day of 2013, making it a long-awaited launch. Sun Hongxiang said that in April 2013, he transited through Seoul to reach Weihai, taking five and a half hours, and returning via Shanghai took another seven and a half hours to get back to Taiwan. On the 31st, the journey only took two and a half hours, significantly reducing travel time across the Strait.

%幕?奖2月31日首航山东威海，台湾旅游业与威海旅游业进行交流。(图／记者陈世昌摄)

Taiwanese tourism operators also visited Weihai on the 31st for inspection and exchanged ideas with local tourism professionals. Chen Dechao, General Manager of Weihai China International Travel Service, stated that Weihai boasts numerous tourism resources and offers great convenience for transit via Dalian or South Korea, making it an ideal first stop for entering mainland China.