Cross-Strait Direct Flights Surge! Vice Chairperson Liang Wenjie Confirms: Zhejiang Loong Air to Launch Direct Taichung-Chengdu Route from July 28, Approval Granted for Airlines Meeting '2 Conditions'

Vice Chairperson Liang Wenjie of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council confirmed that the direct flight route operated by Zhejiang Loong Air from Taichung Airport to Chengdu Tianfu Airport has been approved, with official operations set to begin on July 28. Liang stated that the approval was based on two conditions: first, Chengdu is already an approved direct flight destination; second, flight rights quotas had not yet reached their limit, allowing approval under existing regulations. As the summer travel season approaches, cross-strait direct flights are gradually recovering, with mainland Chinese airlines having launched or resumed four new cross-strait routes this year. 1. China Eastern Airlines resumed flights from Taichung to Chengdu on July 1, operating every Wednesday and Sunday. 2. Shandong Airlines resumed the Taichung to Qingdao route on July 23, operating weekly on Thursdays. 3. Spring Airlines launched a new route from Kaohsiung to Ningbo on July 4, operating every Tuesday and Saturday. 4. The latest update: the Mainland Affairs Council confirmed that Zhejiang Loong Air will launch a direct route from Taichung to Chengdu Tianfu Airport on July 28, operating every Tuesday and Saturday. Zhejiang Loong Air (Loong Air), established in 2011, is the only local private airline in Zhejiang Province, headquartered at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport. The airline primarily operates domestic routes within mainland China and offers full-service amenities, including free baggage allowance and in-flight meals, distinguishing it from low-cost carriers. Loong Air's fleet is primarily composed of Airbus A320 series aircraft. It is understood that the Taichung-Chengdu route will also be operated using the Airbus A320. During the Mainland Affairs Council's regular press conference on July 23, hosted by Liang Wenjie, Feng Media inquired: 'Zhejiang Loong Air will launch a direct flight from Taichung Airport to Chengdu Tianfu Airport starting July 28. Does the Mainland Affairs Council have information on this? What is Taiwan's stance on applications from mainland Chinese airlines for cross-strait direct flights? What criteria must be met for approval?' Liang Wenjie responded: 'We are fully aware of this matter. The reason for approval is straightforward—both Chengdu and Taichung are designated direct flight destinations, and only such designated cities are eligible for application.' Liang confirmed the approval of Zhejiang Loong Air's direct Taichung-Chengdu route. (Photo by Yang Teng-Kai) Regarding the rationale for approval, Liang explained: 'There are two key conditions. First, both Chengdu and Taichung are officially designated direct flight destinations; only such cities can apply. Second, the number of flights on this route must fall within the allocated flight rights quota. The weekly cross-strait flight rights quota is 209 flights. As long as there are remaining slots, applications can be approved. The relevant mainland authorities have allocated flight rights to Zhejiang Loong Air, enabling the airline to meet the criteria and apply. Accordingly, we have approved the application in accordance with regulations.' However, Liang added: 'According to our information, with the addition of this new route by Zhejiang Loong Air, the mainland side has now fully utilized its flight rights quota. No further increases will be possible in the future.'