Taiwan-based startup carrier Starlux Airlines has received its official business registration certificate from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, paving the way for services to take off in 2020.
The airline now needs to pass a five-stage evaluation conducted by the Civil Aeronautics Administration to acquire its Air Operator Certificate in order to begin operations as scheduled.
Initially, the carrier plans to operate a fleet of 10 leased Airbus A321neo aircraft – one of the manufacturer’s newest narrowbody aircraft – with the first expected to be delivered in October 2019.
Starlux is also nearing a decision regarding an order for an additional 14 widebody aircraft that it plans to take delivery of beginning at the end of 2021.
The airline’s first routes are expected to be between Taipei and destinations in southeast and northeast Asia, which will be operated by three of its A321neos. By the end of 2024, Starlux aims to have a fleet of up to 24 aircraft serving more than 20 destinations in Asia and North America.
Starlux is positioning itself as an airline offering “best-in-class luxury travel”, though founder and chairman KW Chang has said that this won’t necessarily translate into high fares.
“Being high-end and luxurious is not about the price tag, but rather an attitude, a standard embedded in our brand,” he said.
“We will always be at the forefront of safety and quality service to achieve operational excellence and to perform beyond each passenger’s expectations in every detail.”
Livery and logo designs have already been unveiled, with the Starlux logo comprising a depiction of Polaris, also known as the North Star, and two wings. Meanwhile the colours are inspired by earth and wood elements, and include rose gold, iron grey and gold.
Chang founded Starlux Investments Limited in 2017 to lay the foundations for the new airline.
The company is continuing to recruit staff and implement systems, and plans to start mass recruiting for airport ground staff and cabin crew next year.
