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the end of some tunnel to be in mainland China ....
Struggling Taiwanese carriers hope to benefit from cross-strait flights
Tuesday May 13, 2008
Hit hard by surging oil prices and competition from the Taiwan High Speed Rail on domestic city-pairs, local carriers expect to reap benefits from the first commercial flights across the Taiwan Strait, which are scheduled to be permitted starting July 4.
According to Jiang Bingkun, a close political ally of newly elected President Ma Yingjiu, the new government plans to launch weekend charter flights on July 4 between Taipei and Kaohsiung and the Chinese mainland cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Xiamen. Regular charter flights will start early next year, with July 2009 targeted for the launch of scheduled services (ATWOnline, April 14).
Passengers currently traveling between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan must transfer in Hong Kong, which typically adds 4-5 hr. to the trip. For example, it takes 5-6 hr. to fly from Taipei to Shanghai via Hong Kong, but travel time can be reduced to 1 hr. if cross-strait flights are realized.
EVA Vice MD Nieh Kuo Wei told the Financial Times that annual passenger boardings will jump by at least 50% after the cross-strait flights begin. Ma said he will allow 3,000 mainland visitors to enter Taiwan each day from July and will increase this number to 10,000 by 2012.
by Katie Cantle
Already substract FAT/Far Eastern Air Transport
which pioneered almost everything as a Taiwanese privately held airline. Another one time local trendsetter quit the show.
Struggling Taiwanese carriers hope to benefit from cross-strait flights
Tuesday May 13, 2008
Hit hard by surging oil prices and competition from the Taiwan High Speed Rail on domestic city-pairs, local carriers expect to reap benefits from the first commercial flights across the Taiwan Strait, which are scheduled to be permitted starting July 4.
According to Jiang Bingkun, a close political ally of newly elected President Ma Yingjiu, the new government plans to launch weekend charter flights on July 4 between Taipei and Kaohsiung and the Chinese mainland cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Xiamen. Regular charter flights will start early next year, with July 2009 targeted for the launch of scheduled services (ATWOnline, April 14).
Passengers currently traveling between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan must transfer in Hong Kong, which typically adds 4-5 hr. to the trip. For example, it takes 5-6 hr. to fly from Taipei to Shanghai via Hong Kong, but travel time can be reduced to 1 hr. if cross-strait flights are realized.
EVA Vice MD Nieh Kuo Wei told the Financial Times that annual passenger boardings will jump by at least 50% after the cross-strait flights begin. Ma said he will allow 3,000 mainland visitors to enter Taiwan each day from July and will increase this number to 10,000 by 2012.
by Katie Cantle
Already substract FAT/Far Eastern Air Transport
which pioneered almost everything as a Taiwanese privately held airline. Another one time local trendsetter quit the show.