Tigerair Taiwan adds new Ibaraki and Iwate routes; limited-time deals go on sale Jan. 22

Tigerair Taiwan today (Jan. 15) held press conferences with Ibaraki Prefecture and Iwate Prefecture in Japan, announcing the launch of two new routes — Taipei Taoyuan to Ibaraki and Taipei Taoyuan to Hanamaki — at the end of March. Discounted tickets will go on sale starting Jan. 22.

Tatsuzo Dazuma presents the Iwate Prefecture mascot, Soba-kun, to Chang Hung-chung. Photo: Chang Pei-fen

Tigerair Taiwan Chairman Chang Hung-chung had previously visited Ibaraki in July 2017 and signed a memorandum of understanding with then-Governor Masaru Hashimoto, expressing hopes that the short-term charter flights between Taoyuan and Ibaraki could be upgraded to regular flights as soon as possible. This would allow both sides to mutually promote tourist exchanges between Taiwan and Ibaraki. During this visit to Taiwan to promote Ibaraki tourism, current Ibaraki Governor Kazuhiko Oigawa and his delegation also arranged to meet with Tigerair Taiwan. Both parties were pleased to see progress toward their shared goals and noted that the Taoyuan-Ibaraki route will soon transition to a scheduled chartered flight service.

Ibaraki boasts vast land, fertile soil, rich marine and mountain produce, and abundant tourism resources. The prefecture is home to one of Japan’s "Three Great Gardens" — Kairakuen — and Hitachi Seaside Park, a famous flower-viewing destination. These unique attractions offer travelers an extraordinary experience exploring North Kanto.

In the initial phase of the Taoyuan-Ibaraki route, flights will operate twice weekly — Mondays and Thursdays. The outbound flight (IT8218) departs Taoyuan Airport at 09:30 AM, while the return flight (IT8219) leaves Ibaraki Airport at 03:00 PM.

To celebrate the launch, Tigerair Taiwan will offer one-way fares starting from NT$2,199 (excluding tax) from 10:00 AM on Jan. 24, 2018, to 11:59 PM on Jan. 25, 2018. Travel dates are valid from March 26, 2018, to Oct. 27, 2018.

Traditional dance in Iwate Prefecture. Photo: Chang Pei-fen

From right: Tigerair Taiwan Chairman Chang Hung-chung and Iwate Governor Tatsuzo Dazuma preside over the press conference. Photo: Chang Pei-fen

Iwate Governor Tatsuzo Dazuma and Tigerair Taiwan Chairman Chang Hung-chung today publicly signed a memorandum of understanding, aiming to enhance bilateral exchanges and development between Taiwan and Iwate. They expressed hope that the Taoyuan-Hanamaki route would soon become a regular flight, benefiting travelers in both regions and potentially opening up more business opportunities.

Hanamaki is located in central-western Iwate Prefecture and is home to the renowned Hanamaki Onsen area, comprising over ten hot spring resorts such as Enshu, Hanamaki, Shitohira, Osawa, and Namari. Additionally, Hanamaki Airport is the only air gateway in Iwate Prefecture, making it the most convenient access point for visiting various attractions across the region.

Tigerair Taiwan stated that during the initial phase of the Taoyuan-Hanamaki route, flights will operate twice weekly — Wednesdays and Saturdays. The outbound flight (IT8258) departs Taoyuan Airport at 12:15 PM, and the return flight (IT8259) leaves Hanamaki Airport at 05:50 PM.

To celebrate the launch, Tigerair Taiwan will offer one-way fares starting from NT$2,099 (excluding tax) from 10:00 AM on Jan. 22, 2018, to 11:59 PM on Jan. 23, 2018. Travel dates are valid from March 28, 2018, to June 30, 2018.

For more information on promotions related to the Ibaraki and Hanamaki routes, please visit Tigerair Taiwan’s official website (www.tigerairtw.com) or follow its official Facebook fan page and enable “See First” notifications to get the latest updates. Limited quantities of discounted tickets are available, so book early. Passengers interested in purchasing tickets should prepare their passports (valid for at least six months) and credit cards.

Tigerair Taiwan currently operates flights to nine destinations in Japan: Hakodate, Sendai, Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda, Nagoya, Osaka Kansai, Okayama, Fukuoka, and Okinawa.

After launching services to Komatsu this Thursday (Jan. 18), Ibaraki on March 26, Asahikawa on March 27, and Hanamaki on March 28, Tigerair Taiwan will have a total of 13 destinations in Japan. Travelers can depart from either Taoyuan or Kaohsiung, bringing the total number of Taiwan-Japan routes operated by Tigerair Taiwan to 17. Moreover, passengers can combine different routes to explore Japan in depth and experience the country’s diverse offerings.

(Business News)