Taiwanese carrier China Airlines is mulling over launching a new direct service between Taipei and California, following increased demand on its existing routes between the two destinations.

This new service would take the form of a direct flight between Taipei Taoyuan (TPE) and Ontario International Airport (ONT), in San Bernardino, California. These would join the airline’s existing double-daily service non-stop to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

According to the airline, flights to Ontario are currently being planned, though no concrete information regarding launch date, frequency or aircraft have been unveiled.

That said, all of China Airlines’ existing flights to North America are now operated either by a B777-300ER or its new A350, making these likely contenders for the new Ontario route. The airline currently flies to Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York in the US, along with Vancouver in Canada.

China Airlines hopes the new route will offer travellers heading to the eastern side of Greater Los Angeles a more efficient travel experience, notably reduced travel, immigration and luggage collection times.

Taiwan is currently California’s fourth-largest trading partner and that travel between the two countries had increased by about 30 per cent following Taiwan being added to the US Visa Waiver Program, according to Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Ed Royce.

china-airlines.com