HOMEGROWN LCCs are making their presence felt in the Taiwan market with flights scheduled to commence in the weeks ahead.
Tigerair Taiwan, which received its air operator’s certificate in September, launched daily Singapore-Taipei flights that same month, followed by daily services to Bangkok and four-times-weekly flights to Chiang Mai this month. The carrier is expecting to double its Airbus A320 fleet to handle future growth.
A spokesperson from the LCC said to TTG Asia e-Daily at the Taipei International Travel Fair: “Our wishlist includes Okinawa and Hokkaido, as well as South Korea. Also, once our application is approved, we’ll inaugrate Macau-Taipei before end-2014.
This December will also see the launch of TransAsia Airways Group’s V Air and its inaugural Bangkok-Taipei route, followed by services to Japan and South Korea next year.
The decision to fly to Bangkok first was made on feedback from its Facebook fan page, said V Air’s PR manager, Vanda Chang. “We target price-centric FITs who know what they want. By end-2015, we’ll have a fleet of five and then build it with two or three new A320s every year,” she said.
She also noted: “Competition is keen as Taiwan already has 15 airlines in operation, including traditional carriers.”
Meanwhile, Vietjet Air will begin Taipei-Ho Chi Minh City flights in December and Kaohsiung-Ho Chi Minh City in 2015.
