Photo credits: China Airlines/www.china-airlines.com
China Airlines received an approval from government of Japan to fly Taiwan- Japan-Palau route, adding one more direct connection between Japan and Palau, reported President Tommy E. Remengesau Jr. at press conference this week.
China Airlines have earlier submitted an application to Japan government to allow the airline to fly directly from Japan to Palau. This will add a scheduled international flight between Japan and Palau, filling a void created by Delta Airlines pull-out last year.
No reports have been issued on when China Airline plans to launch this route but news is welcomed by the tourism industry in Palau.
Japan is the second largest source market for tourists to Palau followed by South Korea and Taiwan. Taiwan showed 16% increase in its overall arrivals in 2018 compared to previous year. Also last year, China Airlines’ average load factor on its Taipei-Palau route exceeded 80%.
Currently, China Airlines provides scheduled direct flights between Taiwan and Palau twice a week and has announced that it will increase number of flights from twice to three times a week, Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays starting this February 18. (L.N. Reklai)