Cheaper than flying to Kaohsiung: Taipei direct flights to Manila and Cebu from just NT$588

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

In recent years, the number of Taiwanese traveling to Southeast Asia has surged, with popular sunny destinations like Cebu, Manila, Boracay, and Palawan in the Philippines becoming top choices for enjoying sunshine and island vibes. Since their October launch, the Taipei–Manila and Taipei–Cebu direct flights have received an enthusiastic response. In addition to the Taipei–Manila flight that took off this morning achieving a remarkable 97% occupancy rate, the Taipei–Cebu route has seen similar strong sales.

The Taiwanese passion for Southeast Asian travel is also reflected in AirAsia’s other routes. Over the past ten months, AirAsia flights between Taipei and Kuala Lumpur have maintained an average load factor of over 80%. To meet the annual demand of up to 200,000 Taiwanese visitors to Malaysia, AirAsia announced last month that it would increase flights between Taipei and Kuala Lumpur from 14 to 17 per week starting December. With the new Cebu and Manila routes now launched, AirAsia also plans to introduce more new routes in the first half of 2017. AirAsia North Asia President Kathleen Tan stated, “AirAsia hopes not only to boost tourism and cultural exchanges between Taiwan and the Philippines following the launch of the Taipei–Manila and Taipei–Cebu routes, but also to attract more travelers from the Philippines, Malaysia, and other Southeast or even Northeast Asian countries to visit Taiwan through continuous new flight offerings and capacity increases. We want them to experience Taiwan’s beautiful landscapes, rich culture, and warm local hospitality.”

As of the end of September this year, the cumulative number of Taiwanese travelers to the Philippines has surpassed the total for the entire year of 2015, demonstrating the huge market potential of direct flights between Taiwan and the Philippines. Philippine AirAsia CEO Dexter Comendador said, “AirAsia is very excited about the launch of the Taipei–Manila and Taipei–Cebu routes. Taiwan is one of AirAsia’s key markets, and we strongly encourage Taiwanese travelers to use AirAsia’s attractive fares, premium flight services, and extensive route network across the Philippine islands to deeply explore the rich and diverse Filipino culture. From Cebu and Manila, you can venture to world-class destinations like Boracay, Bohol, Palawan, and Shiseido Island, enjoying a multiplied travel experience of breathtaking scenery, culture, and cuisine.”

Travel expert Wu Yipei also shared, “Every winter, I especially crave a trip to the south filled with sunshine, beaches, and the sea. The Philippines is just a 2–3 hour flight from Taiwan and boasts many uniquely charming islands. I’ve often wanted to escape to the Philippine islands for relaxation but couldn’t book flights on short notice. Now with AirAsia’s new Taipei–Manila and Taipei–Cebu direct routes, whether I want to swim with whale sharks in Cebu or enjoy exotic sea-and-land flavors in Boracay and Palawan, I have more opportunities for spontaneous getaways during busy work periods.”

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