Taichung-Tokyo daily direct flight service launched today (14). Mayor Lin Chia-long took the first Flora Expo aircraft to arrive at Tokyo, promoting the major event opening on November 3rd. To invite global tourists to come to Taichung, Mayor Lin suggested that the new service line provides shorter travel time for central Taiwan people, and facilitates mutual tourism development. People have a better choice coming to Taichung and join the upcoming floral event.
Early this morning, accompanied by city councilperson Li Tian-sheng, Lai Jia-wei, Zheng Gong-jin, He Wen-hai, He Min-cheng, Liu Shu-lan, and China Airlines Chairperson He Huan-xuan, Mayor Lin Chia-long took the first ever Taichung-Tokyo flight. Flight attendants dressed in floral aprons, and the cabin equipment including pillows, paper cups, dining sheets are printed with mascot Leopard Cat and Horsiver.
Upon arrival at Tokyo, Mayor Lin and Taiwan Representative Hsieh Chang-ting joined together to the launch ceremony of “Mandarin Airlines Direct flight between Taichung & Tokyo” at Narita Airport, announcing the beginning of the service.
With the opening of new service line, passengers in central Taiwan now save at least three-hour transportation to Taoyuan Airport in order to make the flights to Tokyo, says Mayor Lin.
Mayor Lin also mentioned about the 2017 statistics of 4.56 million Taiwanese visits to Japan, and 1.89 million Japanese visits to Taiwan, together reached 6.45 million visits. With the launch of Taichung & Tokyo direct flight service, not only it will increase mutual visits, but also facilitates Japanese tourists visiting Taichung Flora Expo.
Following Taipei, Taoyuan and Kaohsiung Airports, China Airlines chairperson He spoke about the flights between Taiwan and Tokyo has today included Taichung Int’l Airport, and the service shall enhance the tourism development in central Taiwan and strengthen the communication between the two destinations. In addition, China Airlines is purchasing new aircrafts which will benefit Mandarin Airlines to better connect with the world.
Regarding the first direct flight, Hsieh Chang-ting, Taiwan Representative in Japan, spoke about the tail wind signifying a good start for the newly launched service, and expected increasing visits between Taiwan and Japan, as well as using it to travel to the Taichung Flora Expo.
Taichung Int’l Airport is actively exploring destinations and has established numerous points including Okinawa, Osaka, Nagasaki, Tottori, Oita and Nagoya, showing a splendid results of tourism development. The brand new direct daily flight from Taichung to Tokyo launches today signifies a much more convenient travel for central passengers to visit Japan without having to go to Taoyuan Airport. The service facilitates Japanese visitors to Taichung as well.
According to actual needs, current E190 aircraft for the direct flight between Taichung & Tokyo that accommodates 104 passengers can be adjusted in the future. In addition, China Airlines groups provide 81 Tokyo flights every week from Songshan, Taoyuan and Kaohsiung, ensuring better service for mutual tourism development.
The first flight Mayor Lin took is decorated with the element of Flora Expo. Designed by Foufou, the Mandarin Airlines & Taichung City introduced the brand new aircraft featuring Flora mascot “the Leopard Cat Family” and “Horsiver”, City flower “Taiwan Cherry”, “Lily”, “Dancing-Doll Orchid”, and famous protected animals such as “Taiwanese salmon”, “Mikado pheasant”, “Papilio maraho” and “Manis”. The design series can be seen on the pillows, headrest covers, paper cups, plate lining sheets, poker card sets, boarding passes, etc. The apron flight attendants wear is also designed with flowers and a cute leopard cat brooch.