Transit boom from Chinese tourists brings new opportunities; China Airlines: Boosting capacity on Europe, US, New Zealand & Australia routes

▲ Arrival hall at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. (Photo / Reporter Ji Xiangru)

Reported by Lai Wenxuan / Taipei

The Taiwan Affairs Office announced on the 5th the opening of three pilot cities—Chongqing, Nanchang, and Kunming—allowing Chinese tourists to transit via Taiwan. Once approved, mainland residents can transit through Taiwan Taoyuan Airport without leaving the airport, as long as they hold a passport, flight ticket, and boarding pass for their onward destination. China Airlines stated it is well-prepared,with its new fleet of 777-300ER and A350 aircraft set to be delivered progressively, which is expected to increase capacity on Europe, the US, New Zealand, and Australia routes, enhancing the benefits of Chinese tourist transit for the airline.

▲ Opening of three pilot cities for Chinese tourist transit via Taiwan. (Photo / Reporter Ji Xiangru)

Before the direct cross-strait flights were established, Hong Kong was the largest transit hub for entering mainland China. After the launch of direct flights, Taiwan has gradually caught up and is now becoming the second-largest transit hub for China. China Airlines stated,that Chinese tourist transit will significantly enhance the competitiveness of Taoyuan Airport as a transit hub and that of Taiwan’s aviation industry.Regarding the opening of the three pilot cities—Chongqing, Nanchang, and Kunming—China Airlines expressed optimism and is fully prepared to fully cooperate with government policy implementation.

▲ China Airlines 777-300ER. (Photo / Provided by China Airlines)

In the future, as China Airlines receives its new fleet of 777-300ER and A350 aircraft progressively, it is expected to boost capacity on Europe, the US, New Zealand, and Australia routes, strengthening the benefits of Chinese tourist transit. China Airlines stated it will continue to expand its route network in mainland China and hopes to further broaden the full implementation of Chinese tourist transit in the future.

▲ China Airlines expands its new fleet to increase capacity on Europe, the US, New Zealand, and Australia routes. (Photo / Provided by China Airlines)

China Airlines currently operates three routes: Taoyuan–Nanchang (three flights per week), Kaohsiung–Nanchang (two flights per week), and Kaohsiung–Chongqing (two flights per week), providing a total of seven weekly flights for cross-strait travelers.With the opening of the pilot cities, China Airlines will be able to carry Chinese tourists transiting via Taiwan to North America, Southeast Asia, and New Zealand & Australia.

The China Airlines Group is the airline with the highest market share on cross-strait routes. It currently operates 32 passenger destinations, offering 135 weekly flights, and will launch services to Yangzhou on February 1st, bringing the total to 33 destinations and 137 weekly flights.