New Summer Routes / China Airlines Launches Comprehensive New Routes with Multiple Options to Hawaii and Mainland China

Reported by You T-Ru / Special Feature

The peak summer travel season is approaching. Have you decided where to go? Starting this May (2013), China Airlines has added new direct flight routes to Hawaii, Urumqi, Lijiang, and Weihai. Various destinations in Southeast and Northeast Asia have also introduced additional flights in response to the summer travel boom. Travelers planning a trip this summer might want to keep an eye on airlines’ increased services and new direct routes, taking advantage of newly launched promotional travel deals to enjoy the fun of international travel while saving money.


▲ China Airlines' first flight from Chiayi to Shizuoka on May 25. (Photo / Provided by China Airlines)

To meet market demand and provide more convenient services, China Airlines willadd two weekly round-trip direct flights from Taoyuan to Hawaiistarting June 2, operated by Airbus A330 aircraft, making it the only airline in Taiwan offering direct flights to Hawaii. China Airlines currently operates daily flights to Hawaii, with seven weekly round-trip flights between Taoyuan and Tokyo via Hawaii.

China Airlines’ Public Relations representative Ye Yixin stated that promotions for trips to Hawaii have already begun. Considering the benefits of the U.S. visa waiver program and the potential of Southeast Asian transit passengers, the airline has added two weekly direct Taoyuan–Hawaii flights, bringing the total to nine weekly flights to Hawaii. This enhances both time efficiency and convenience for travelers, meeting both tourism and business needs.

In addition, China Airlines and Mandarin Airlines will add three new regular cross-strait flight routes:Taoyuan–Urumqi,Taoyuan–Lijiang,and Taoyuan–Weihai.、Taoyuan – WeihaiTaoyuan–Urumqi is scheduled to launch on June 25, operating three times a week on Airbus 330 aircraft, featuring 30 business class seats and 277 economy class seats. Taoyuan–Lijiang will begin on June 26, also flying three times a week on Boeing 737-800 planes, with eight business class seats and 150 economy class seats. Taoyuan–Weihai is expected to start in July. Other routes planned for July include a charter flight between Tainan and Hong Kong, as well as Taoyuan–Ishigaki Island.. Taoyuan–Urumqi flights are expected to launch on June 25, operating three times a week with an Airbus 330 aircraft, featuring 30 business class seats and 277 economy class seats; Taoyuan–Lijiang flights will commence on June 26, operating three times a week using a Boeing 737-800, offering 8 business class seats and 150 economy class seats. Taoyuan–Weihai is also scheduled to begin operations in July; other destinations planned for July include a charter flight between Tainan and Hong Kong, as well as Taoyuan–Ishigaki.
Ye Yixin of China Airlines stated that increased travel demand is expected to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Fukuoka, and Nanchang during the summer, hence plans for additional flights are in place. The summer schedule additions by China Airlines include:increasing Taoyuan–Bangkok from 21 to 28 weekly flights, Taoyuan–Kuala Lumpur from 7 to 10 weekly flights, Taoyuan–Fukuoka from 11 to 14 weekly flights, and Taoyuan–Nanchang from 2 to 3 weekly flights..

To celebrate the increased flights, promotional fares for the Bangkok route start from NT$11,900. The newly added Kuala Lumpur flights also come with special prices starting at NT$12,200. The promotional fare for the additional Fukuoka flights begins at NT$8,200, while Nanchang offers fares starting at NT$9,600.

To celebrate the launch of China Airlines’ direct flights to Hawaii, special promotional fares starting from NT$31,200 are available for departures before June 20. Tailor-made travel packages departing between June 1 and 20 are also offered with a NT$4,000 discount and include a complimentary crystal photo frame. Major travel agencies have also jointly launched group promotions, with the first five direct flights between June 2 and 16 offering the second passenger at half price or the third passenger free.