China Airlines will begin operations between Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and Weihai Dashuibo Airport once a week from January 17.
The two cities will be linked by a B737 with 158 seats in two classes – an eight-seat business class in 2-2 configuration; and 150 economy seats in a 3-3 arrangement.
The service will depart Taoyuan on every Friday at 0645 and arrive at Weihai at 0925. The return leg leaves at 1030 and reaches Taiwan at 1320.
After the addition of Weihai, the airline will offer 115 weekly return flights to 27 destinations in Taiwan and Mainland China, including the Taoyuan-Urumqi service launched in August (see here).
There were no direct flights between Taiwan and Mainland China before 2003, when the first charter flight between the two sides took off after their relations had improved. Hong Kong was the main transit hub for cross-strait travellers. Restrictions were lifted gradually and in April 2009, an agreement was reached to allow regular cross-strait flights.
Located in the eastern Shandong province in China, Weihai is a commercial port and major fishing centre. The city also has a big South Korean business community due to close geographical proximity. There are also major industrial developments such as Weihai Economic and Technological Development Zone and Weihai Export Processing Zone.
For more information, visit www.china-airlines.com
Valerian Ho
