16 Dec

A Taiwanese airline company has begun operating flights between Taiwan and Japan, and plans to launch more as it expects tourism demand to recover after the coronavirus pandemic ends.

STARLUX Airlines on Tuesday launched its first flight between Taoyuan International Airport, west of Taipei, and Kansai Airport off Osaka in western Japan.

The 188-seat plane of the inaugural flight to Japan carried nine passengers, including a student who will enter a language school in Osaka next month.

He said his original plan to begin his studies in Japan in July was delayed due to the pandemic, and that he couldn't wait any longer.

STARLUX was established in 2018 based at Taoyuan airport with a focus on the South East Asian market. It also starts service between Taipei and Narita Airport near Tokyo on Wednesday. Both routes will operate twice a week.

The company plans to enhance its name recognition through the operation of the two routes, which are in high demand for cargo transport, such as for the shipment of electronic components.

The carrier plans to expand links with other parts of Japan, including Hokkaido, Kyushu and Okinawa, in expectation of a recovery of tourism after the pandemic.

nhk