Following the implementation of the open skies policy between Taiwan and Japan in late 2011, Taiwanese carrier TransAsia Airways has now officially expanded its scheduled flight network to Japan.
The expansion was marked by its inaugural flight from Taipei’s Taoyuan airport to Osaka on 28 June 2012, with five additional destinations to follow.
“Japan is a familiar market for TransAsia Airways as since 2008, we have been operating our chartered service to and from Taiwan,” announced General Manager for Northeast Asia, Keizaburo Yokota. “With the support of the open skies policy, we have made applications to fly several scheduled routes within a short period of time to show our focus and ambition for the Japanese market, as well as Northeast Asia, while the chartered flights will continue to be in operation to ensure a bigger network for this market.”
In addition, TransAsia Airways will launch routes to at least five other destinations in Japan during the next half year; Okinawa, Hakodate, New Chitose, Asahikawa and Kushiro.
According to Taiwan Tourism Bureau, Japanese tourist arrivals in Taiwan has become the highest among all foreign countries, with a record high of 1.29 million visitors in 2011, a 20% surge compared to 2010.
Flights depart Taipei daily at 0810 and arrive in Osaka at 1140. The return flight from Osaka departs at 1240 and lands back in Taipei at 1430.
