Taiwanese Airlines Are Increasing Their Summer Schedule Frequency Ahead Of Expected Immigration Rule Changes

Several of the airlines based in Taiwan have started to increase flight frequencies on their summer schedule just a few days after Taiwan signaled a possible relaxation of its strict immigration/transit rules.

China Airlines, Eva Airlines and Starlux have sent emails to their customers with notifications of more flights being available to them in the coming weeks on select routes.

For the past 26 months, Taiwan has been in one line with mainland China and has not had access to its main airport.

John wrote about Taiwanese media reporting that changes to these policies are imminent.

Taiwan Plans To Announce Border Restrictions Changes In June

It comes as no surprise that airlines started to increase their schedules to popular destinations such as Thailand because the government is in close contact with the national air carriers to prepare them for any changes.

In the last 24 hours, I received promotional emails from China Airlines and Starlux in regards to their operations in South East Asia.

The China Airlines route will return to a 5 day/week rotation. There were 4-5 flights between Thailand and Taiwan per day before the pandemic, and both China Airlines andEVA Air have their own lounges at the airport.

The A330neo is the first wide-body aircraft in Taiwan. It will operate flights to and from Manila and Bangkok first and then to Ho Chi Minh City in mid-June to provide passengers with a more comfortable journey.

Taiwan has a nonsensical policy of keeping the country under lock and key for two years. It's fascinating that they're trying to be seen as independent from communist China, yet they're copying one country in terms of Covid policy.

This is the worst season to visit Taiwan because of the climate, just like Korea and Japan. Unless one has pressing personal or business reasons to visit the country, it won't make a difference if they open now or in September/October.

If Taiwan allows transits again, it would make a big difference as it would remove some pressure on Tokyo and Seoul to be the main gateways between North America and South East Asia.

Conclusion.

Taiwanese airlines have increased their frequencies to various destinations and are offering special fares to customers. I'm still skeptical.

In the past, airlines have allowed people to book and pay just to cancel flights, and then let customers wait forever for their refunds. Booking anything before a firm policy is in place that allows transiting in Taipei again or actual entry into Taiwan is not a good idea.