《TAIPEI TIMES》 Starlux to launch international flights from Taichung

FLYING HIGH: The new routes are to include round-trip flights to Takamatsu in Japan and Macau, as well as Danang in Vietnam using Airbus A321neo aircraft

/ Staff writer, with CNA

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Starlux Airlines is to begin offering flights from Taichung to three international destinations late next month and in early April, the Taiwanese carrier and the Taichung City Government announced yesterday.

To date, Starlux has only flown out of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. It is to offer flights between Taichung and Macau and Taichung and Takamatsu on Shikoku Island, Japan, from March 31, and between Taichung and Danang, Vietnam, from April 2.

The airline set up its second Taiwan base in Taichung because it is a major transportation hub, Starlux chief strategy officer Simon Liu （劉允富） said, adding that he hoped the new routes would be more convenient for travelers in the area.

Starlux is to offer eight round trip-flights a week between Taichung and Macau and three round-trip flights a week between Takamatsu and Danang on its Airbus A321neo aircraft, which are to have eight business class seats and 180 economy seats, Liu said.

Neither of Taiwan’s two major international airlines, China Airlines and EVA Air, operate out of Taichung, which serves only a limited number of destinations, including Hong Kong; Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam; and Incheon in South Korea.

No airlines fly from Taichung to Takamatsu, while Tigerair Taiwan flies between Taichung and Macau, and Bamboo Air and VietJet Air provide occasional services on the Taichung-Danang route.

Taichung Deputy Mayor Cheng Chao-hsin （鄭照新） said he hoped that the new routes would bring more overseas visitors to the area.

The Taichung Tourism and Travel Bureau said that it would collaborate with tourism-related businesses in central Taiwan to help people with Starlux Airline boarding passes receive discounts for designated souvenirs and accommodation, and at some restaurants.

新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES