China Airlines has added a new route to its Southeast Asia portfolio with the launch of its new Taipei-Cebu service providing customers with more options and flexibility in traveling. The China Airlines aircraft was welcomed with a water salute by Cebu International Airport to commemorate the inauguration of this new route.
China Airlines has operated scheduled services on the Taipei-Manila and Kaohsiung-Manila routes for many years, and the introduction of regular services to Cebu means the carrier will now operate 21 flights a week to the Philippines.
Southeast Asia is a key business and travel market for China Airlines, and Cebu is the first new destination to be added post-pandemic.
With the passenger market showing signs of recovery, China Airlines is not only catering to Taiwanese tourists visiting the Philippines for travel and leisure but also targeting the transit passenger market. Cebu is a popular destination among international travellers, and China Airlines is even set to tap into the North American market with up to 30 North American services. North American travelers transiting through Taiwan on their way to Cebu will further strengthen Taiwan's status as a transit hub.
China Airlines will be operating its newest A321neo passenger aircraft to the Taipei-Cebu route to provide a convenient and comfortable service. The aircraft is configured for 180 seats including 12 in Premium Business Class and 168 in Economy.
Apart from Cebu, China Airlines will also start direct flights to Da Nang in Vietnam on January 2, 2022 and Chiang Mai in Thailand on January 20 with four weekly flights.
The airline also plans to increase services on South Asia routes including routes that depart from central and southern Taiwan. The Taichung-Ho Chi Minh City route will return to four weekly flights, the Kaohsiung-Manila route will be increased to three weekly flights, and the Kaohsiung-Bangkok route will resume services in January next year. South East Asia will therefore have 18 passenger routes in operation during the peak travel season of the Lunar New Year holidays with around 130 return flights, providing Taiwanese holidaymakers with a wide variety of choices for their overseas holiday.