On October 25, China Airlines will expand its services in the Australia-New Zealand market by adding a Taipei to Melbourne service that will continue on to Christchurch. There will be 3 regular flights a week on a seasonal basis to provide greater convenience to passengers. The extension of passenger services to Australia’s second largest city in addition to the existing Sydney and Brisbane routes will flesh out the Australia-New Zealand network. It will also provide business and tourist passengers with more options.
From October 25, 2015, through to March 26, 2016, China Airlines will operate a Taipei-Melbourne-Christchurch service departing every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. CI057/CI058 will be flown by A330-300 aircraft offering 30 Business Class and 277 Economy Class seats. The Taipei-Sydney-Christchurch route will also continue to operate three flights a week during this season. With the existing eight flights a week from Sydney or Brisbane to Auckland, China Airlines will have 14 flights a week to Australia and 14 flights continuing onwards to New Zealand.
China Airlines saw the potential of the business and travel market in Australia-New Zealand and began expanding its market presence in 2013. The seasonal Taipei-Sydney-Christchurch service was added in December, 2014, making China Airlines the first SkyTeam member to fly to New Zealand’s South Island and the first airline in East Asia to operate between Sydney and Christchurch. Demand is strong on the Christchurch route from both Asian tourists and travelers between Australia and New Zealand. Average loading factor during the summer season in the Southern Hemisphere reached 90% and was extended to March, 2015, due to positive passenger demand. The addition of the Taipei-Melbourne-Christchurch route this year will enable China Airlines to build on the existing Taipei-Sydney-Christchurch route to provide a more comprehensive network between Taipei, Australia, and New Zealand.
Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, is situated on the southeast coast of Australia at the mouth of the Yarra River near the top of Port Phillip Bay. Melbourne has been named the “World’s most liveable city” and is also known as the “Cultural Capital of Australia”. Some of its well-known sights include Federation Square, Fitzroy Gardens and Queen Victoria Market. Travelers can fly directly to the city by China Airlines and depart from other airports to get the most enjoyment out of traveling through Australia.
Apart from the upcoming Melbourne service, China Airlines’ services to the Australia-New Zealand region include Sydney and Brisbane in Australia as well as Auckland and Christchurch in New Zealand. There are more than 9,000 seats a week available during the peak season and the Taipei-Brisbane route will be flown by 747 passenger aircraft. The larger aircraft size will help satisfy market demand. To celebrate the impending launch of the Taipei-Melbourne route, China Airlines is now offering an early bird special. The Taipei-Melbourne Economy Class return airfare (tax included) will start from TWD 32,088. The Taipei-Christchurch Economy Class return airfare (tax included) will start from TWD 38,688. Group tour packages are also available that will arrive and depart from different airports in Australia and New Zealand. Visitors will be able to take advantage of the more diversified travel products to better experience the best of the Southern Hemisphere.( 2015/07/20)