China Airlines is returning to the UK after a five-year hiatus as it launches the only direct flight from Britain to Taiwan.
The flagship carrier for the People’s Republic of China is hoping to boost tourism, while hoping to exploit efforts by ministers to forge closer business links between the UK and the small island nation.
Flights will start on December 1 between London Gatwick and Taipei’s Taoyuan International airport.
Flights will start on December 1 between London Gatwick and Taipei’s Taoyuan International airport. Pictured: Taipei, Taiwan
The service will operate four times a week from Gatwick’s South Terminal, with a flight time of just over 13 hours aboard China Airlines’ Airbus A350-900.
The aircraft will carry 306 passengers.
The UK has been trying to boost business links with Taiwan, with trade minister Greg Hands visiting the island last September – shortly after the Brexit vote.
It is the UK’s sixth largest trading partner in Asia Pacific. UK-Taiwan trade reached £5.8billion in 2014, the second highest ever on record.
Taiwan is part of the People’s Republic of China, but is a democracy and is regarded by China as a rebel region.
It has a thriving economy, and has a huge technology and computer industry.
China Airlines previously operated a route between London Heathrow and Taipei from 2010 to 2012.
China Airlines previously operated a route between London Heathrow and Taipei from 2010 to 2012
But it scrapped the service as it was hit by the economic downturn across Europe and the high costs of running less fuel efficient Airbus A350 planes.
Since then it has operated a service to Amsterdam with an onward connection to London via a codeshare arrangement with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
Roger Han, senior vice president Europe at China Airlines said: ‘We’re incredibly excited to be returning to the UK this year, making travel between the UK and Taiwan that much more simple and accessible.
‘By offering the only non-stop service between these two countries, we hope to welcome travellers who may not have considered Taiwan as their first outbound destination previously.
Furthermore, our route network offers a wonderful array of destinations throughout Asia or onward to Australia for British travellers to enjoy.’