China Airlines (CAL) made direct cross-strait scheduled services between Taipei Songshan Airport and Shanghai Hongqiao Airport a reality when the first flight touched down yesterday in Shanghai with a host of dignitaries.
CAL will operate six flights each week, except for Friday. In the initial stage, a Boeing B737-800 aircraft with 158 seats will be used, until the completition of Songshan Airport's refurbishment. Then, an Airbus A330-300 will be utilised.
To mark the event, Economy class passengers, departing from Songshan can avail of a 10 percent discount until June 30, 2010. Also, CAL passengers?holding return-trip tickets between Taipei and Shanghai can book their seats either to or from Taipei's Songshan or Taoyuan airports, as well as to or from Shanghai's Hongqiao or Pudong airports.
Direct air links between Taiwan and mainland China, which for a long time did not enjoy good relations, have been rapidly increasing since the first initiative in December 2008.
For more details, visit www.china-airlines.com
Margie T Logarta
