Weak Yen Boosts Japan Travel; TransAsia Airways Launches Flights to Ishigaki Island on the 23rd

▲ TransAsia Airways launches regular flights to Ishigaki Island, Japan, on May 23. (Photo / From TransAsia Airways Facebook)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

TransAsia Airways announced on May 6 that it will launch regular flights to Ishigaki Island, Japan, starting May 23, with one round-trip flight each on Thursdays and Sundays. This marks the first airline service from Taiwan to the newly opened Ishigaki Airport. The new route is not only the airline’s first new Northeast Asia route this year, but also its third international route following the Taichung–Macau and Taoyuan–Bangkok services. TransAsia has been actively expanding its route network recently, with plans to begin flights to Zhangjiajie, China, on June 2, and to Chiang Mai, Thailand, on July 3.

TransAsia stated that the recent depreciation of the Japanese yen has led to increased interest in various Japanese destinations. Flights from Taoyuan to Ishigaki take less than an hour, significantly reducing travel time and allowing travelers to make the most of their vacation. To celebrate the new route, the airline is offering promotional fares — economy class round-trip tickets starting from NT$8,800 (for a 14-day ticket, excluding tax) for departures before June 28, while supplies last.