A year after the earthquake... still hanging banners to thank Taiwan Kumamoto Governor: We are recovering

When passengers arrived at the airport, Kumamoto Governor Ikuo Kabashima and the wildly popular Kumamon were there to greet them. A banner reading “Thank you for Taiwan’s help！Kumamoto is recovering” was displayed, and souvenirs were given to Taiwanese arrivals, warmly welcoming everyone to visit Kumamoto. Mr. and Mrs. Liu, who traveled from Kaohsiung to Kumamoto for sightseeing, said the banner felt very heartwarming. Every time they visit a different part of Japan, they can feel Japan’s gratitude and friendliness toward Taiwan. This trip to Kumamoto was also to see how the area has recovered since the earthquake.

▲ Kumamoto Governor Ikuo Kabashima (right) and China Airlines General Manager Hsieh Shih-chien (left) hold a press conference for the maiden flight of the "Three Bears Friendship" aircraft at Aso Kumamoto Airport in Japan.

At the inaugural flight press conference, Kumamoto Governor Ikuo Kabashima once again expressed his gratitude to Taiwan. He said that during last year’s Kumamoto earthquake, China Airlines was the first airline to resume flights, and the assistance received from Taiwan and China Airlines remains vivid in his memory as if it were yesterday.

Affected by the Kumamoto earthquake, the passenger load factor for the Kaohsiung-Kumamoto route was once very low. However, it had returned to pre-earthquake levels by March and April this year. Governor Kabashima said that although the road to recovery is still quite long, efforts will be made to make Kumamoto an even better place than it was before the earthquake, while continuing to promote tourism between the two sides. Not only will Taiwan send tourists here, but Kumamoto will also actively promote travel to Taiwan.

▲ Both Taiwan and Japan hope to continue boosting mutual tourism through the "Three Bears Friendship" painted aircraft.

China Airlines General Manager Hsieh Shih-chien said that currently, the Kaohsiung-Kumamoto route operates three flights per week with an average passenger load factor of 80%, which suggests room for additional flights. The initial plan is to increase to five flights per week, and if the load factor continues to grow steadily, daily direct flights could become possible. The possibility of launching flights from Taipei and Taichung will also be evaluated in the future based on market conditions.