A new route to the United States has been added by China Airlines. The TPE-ONT (Taoyuan to Ontario in California) route that the market has long been waiting for was officially commissioned. China Airlines will operate Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on the route with seven flights a week. The new regular service will be the first direct flight from Asia to Ontario CA. It has already achieved average bookings of 70% at launch despite March through to April being the off-peak season. The launch means China Airlines now offers six direct flight destinations in the U.S. with 32 flights a week to choose from.
To celebrate the launch of the all-new route, China Airlines Chairman Nuan-hsuan Ho hosted a ceremony at Taoyuan Airport on 25 March 2018. The milestone moment was witnessed by Mayor of Taoyuan City Wen-tsan Cheng, VISIT CALIFORNIA – Taiwan Travel Trade Director Milane Tsai, Taoyuan International Airport Corporation President Deng-Ke Shiau, Taoyuan Metro Chairman Kun-Yi Liu and other guests, all of whom gathered to bestow their blessing on the inaugural flight.
China Airlines Chairman Nuan-Hsuan Ho said that the extensive studies and assessments carried out by China Airlines have now finally paid off. The launch of the Taoyuan – Ontario route will tap into the market for travel between Taiwan, Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau among eastern Los Angeles’ Chinese community. The new route, along with the existing Taoyuan – Los Angeles service, will expand options for travel to and from Asia for metropolitan Los Angeles as a whole, fostering closer Taiwan-U.S. ties as well as strengthening links with the Asia market.
The latest move by China Airlines is expected to optimize route revenues. The LAX and ONT airports will become twin hubs for China Airlines operations in the Greater Los Angeles region resulting in economic synergies from dual airports, while also expanding the reach and convenience of services in the region.