News Flash / China Airlines finalizes details for low-cost airline launch, set to operate earlier than TransAsia

Travel Center / Taipei Report

Following TransAsia Airways’ announcement of establishing a low-cost carrier, details about China Airlines’ own budget airline are also coming to light. It is understood that internal discussions within China Airlines regarding the low-cost airline have been finalized, and an official announcement will be made next Monday (December 16). As for when it will begin operations, China Airlines stated that it expects to start operating within this year (2014), which would be earlier than the low-cost airline under TransAsia Airways, which has announced plans to begin operations by the end of the year. It could officially become “Taiwan’s first low-cost airline.”


▲ China Airlines livery aircraft. (Photo / Provided by China Airlines)

As low-cost carriers take over Taiwan’s skies, full-service airlines are also actively incorporating budget airline plans into their development strategies. Recently, TransAsia Airways’ announcement to establish a low-cost carrier caused quite a stir in the market. At a press conference, TransAsia Chairman Vincent Lin mentioned that low-cost aviation is already a global trend. The new airline will be 100% owned and operated by the TransAsia Group, and will be entirely designed based on the consumption habits of the Taiwanese market, aiming to become a low-cost airline tailored for Taiwan.

Regarding China Airlines’ plan to launch a low-cost airline, it has been rumored that China Airlines may partner with a Singapore-based low-cost carrier to establish a new airline. However, China Airlines has not yet disclosed details on this matter, only promising to make a final decision within this week. An official announcement regarding the operational direction and the national low-cost airline strategy will be made on December 16. It is expected that the new low-cost airline established by China Airlines will become the first national low-cost carrier to take to the skies.