After last year’s recovery efforts proved slightly challenging amidst the pandemic border restrictions, this year’s recovery path seems brighter for three of Taiwan’s most significant international airlines, flag carrier China Airlines, EVA Air, and startup Starlux Airlines.

Following a successful January, all three carriers also posted higher improved sales figures for February.

Growing sales from boosted demand

Without the border restrictions, passenger demand on routes between Taiwan and other destinations within Asia increased tremendously for the Taiwanese airlines. Different international routes in other regions, such as Europe and North America, also helped boost their February sales figures.

China Airlines

In the case of China Airlines, the flag carrier posted NT$12.67 billion ($411 million) last month, signifying a year-on-year increase of close to 19%. The revenue generated by the increased passenger flights rose by more than 865% compared to February last year, reaching NT$7.08 billion ($231 million).

The more popular routes for China Airlines were between Taiwan and Japan and Taiwan and South Korea, alongside flights to North America. Unfortunately, the sales figures generated from cargo revenue remained stagnant at NT$4.84 billion ($157 million) as global supply chain disruptions continued.

EVA Air

Taiwan’s second-largest carrier has also been doing comparatively well after posting NT$12.88 billion ($420 million) in consolidated sales last month, an increase of about 48.3% from the year before.

Revenues generated from passenger flights soared by over 1120% year-on-year to NT$8.06 billion ($263 million).

Compared to China Airlines, the surge received by EVA Air primarily came from its Europe and North America flights, supported by flight services to Asia.

Also, in contrary to the flag carrier, EVA Air posted a slight increase in cargo revenue, reaching an estimated NT$3.26 billion ($106.5 million).

Starlux Airlines

As a relatively new startup, Starlux Airlines has gradually been more focused on building its network alongside a growing fleet.

The airline’s all-Airbus fleet currently consists of 13 Airbus A321neos, four A330neos, and two A350-900s – with a third expected to be received in the next few months and a fourth scheduled by the second half of this year.

Despite not having an overly extensive route network compared to the earlier two airlines, Starlux Airlines still performed adequately last month after posting consolidated sales of about NT$1.37 billion ($44.8 million), an estimated 2029% year-on-year increase.

Revenue generated from passenger flights rose nearly 3760% from a year earlier to an estimated NT$1.22 billion ($39 million).

Outlook for the rest of this year

With an already strong start to the first quarter of this year, all three carriers are optimistic about the year’s remainder, as plans have already been drawn up for expansions.

China Airlines will fully restore daily round-trip flight services between Taipei and Ontario International Airport from March 26th, up from the current four-times-weekly schedule.

Also happening on March 26th, EVA Air will expand its services to Japan, and the rest of Southeast Asia will get frequency upgrades from March 30th. Then from May 15th, EVA Air will increase frequencies for its round-trip flight services to North America to 84 per week.

Los Angeles will get three flights, with Seattle, New York, Chicago, Houston, Vancouver, and Toronto getting daily flights.

The airline will also add two flights to Milan, serving four flights per week from the current two. Expansions in China to destinations such as Guangzhou and Hangzhou are currently being planned.

And finally, Starlux Airlines will launch flight services to Sandai on April 1st and Los Angeles on April 26th, bringing the total number of destinations served to reach 17.

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