China Airlines is responding to the increasing demand for tourism and business travel to Japan by launching the Taipei-Kumamoto route on September 18. With two round-trip flights per week, the new route will complement the existing 14 flights a week on the Taipei-Fukuoka route to give travelers more options for getting to and from Kyushu. To celebrate the new Taipei-Kumamoto route, China Airlines is offering a special promotion on the first three flights with Economy Class round-trip fares starting from TWD 6,840 (before tax). The fare can be as low as TWD 4,780 (before tax) for Dynasty members if they book through the China Airlines website and use their frequent flyer miles.
The China Airlines Taipei-Kumamoto route will be flown by the A321neo, the new mainstay on regional routes, every Monday and Friday. The outbound flight CI194 will take off at 14:30 from Taoyuan Airport and arrive at 17:35 local time at Kumamoto Airport; the inbound flight CI195 will take off at 18:35 local time and return to Taoyuan Airport at 19:50 Taiwan time. The China Airlines A321neo offers industry-leading features including Premium Business Class with fully-flat seats, the latest 4K high-definition entertainment system with the largest displays, high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi, and free text messaging all in a spacious and comfortable cabin. Due to the rapid recovery in post-pandemic travel, China Airlines made multiple chartered flights between Taipei and Kumamoto since March in response to market demand. Kumamoto is not only rich in tourism resources but is also an important hub of the Japanese semiconductor industry. China Airlines therefore decided to launch scheduled services on the Taipei-Kumamoto route to take advantage of the tourism, trade and cultural exchange potential between the two markets.
Kumamoto is located in the heart of Kyushu and is a region renowned for its history, culture, and beautiful landscape. Kumamoto Castle is one of the three great castles of Japan and remains a majestic sight despite being rebuilt several times. The castle’s beauty changes throughout the day and at night. The Aso Volcano is also not to be missed and travelers can admire the largest caldera in the world, feeling the breath of the Earth itself. The grandeur of the local scenery is what gives the caldera its distinctive charm and the area is known as “Land of Water”, named for the sweet tasting spring water that wells up from below. This water, which is the source of the Shirakawa Springs, is acclaimed as the best-tasting water in Japan and when used for cooking, it makes food taste even better. The nearby hot springs are great for relaxing the mind and body. The “Higo Zogan” inlay technique is a centuries-old craft that has been passed down through the generations. The technique has an unique aesthetics of its own and is considered representative of Kumamoto’s traditional craftsmanship.
The Taiwan-Japan routes have long been a part of China Airlines’ network and services were restored to more than 100 round-trip flights per week after the pandemic. More services and destinations are continuing to be added to the network where local capacity is available to provide more travel options. Travelers can use the Taipei-Kumamoto route to complement departures and arrivals through Fukuoka in their itinerary. They can experience the different sides of Kyushu, taking in the historic city and natural wonders of Kumamoto while also enjoying the modern metropolitan charm and great cuisine of Fukuoka.
China Airlines Taipei - Kumamoto:
| Flight | Segment | Dep./Arr. Time | Operational Days | Service Frequency | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CI194 | Taipei-Kumamoto | 14:30/17:35 | Mon./Fri. | 2 flights per week | A321neo |
| CI195 | Kumamoto-Taipei | 18:35/19:50 | Mon./Fri. |
