Breaking: Cross-Strait Flights Surge! China Airlines to Resume Direct Flights to Mainland 'City' from October 28, Restarting After 6-Year Hiatus – A Key Indicator of Cross-Strait Thaw?

China Airlines is set to resume direct flights between Taoyuan and Chongqing starting October 28, 2024, with one round-trip service each on Wednesdays and Fridays. This route was previously a regular scheduled service operated by China Airlines but was suspended in February 2020 due to the global pandemic. The restart marks a return after a six-year hiatus. Since July 2024, mainland Chinese airlines have significantly expanded cross-strait flight capacity, but no Taiwanese carrier had joined—until now. China Airlines' resumption of the Taoyuan–Chongqing route signals a major step toward the expansion of direct cross-strait air services by Taiwanese carriers.

According to global aviation route information website 'AeroRoutes,' China Airlines plans to restart the direct Taoyuan Airport–Chongqing Jiangbei Airport route on October 28. The service will operate one round-trip flight each on Wednesdays and Fridays.

The flight from Taoyuan to Chongqing, designated CI553, will depart Taoyuan Airport at 15:30 and arrive at Chongqing Jiangbei Airport at 19:00. The return flight, CI554, will depart Chongqing Jiangbei Airport at 20:00 and arrive at Taoyuan Airport at 23:00. The route will be operated using the Airbus A321neo aircraft.

China Airlines Taoyuan ⇌ Chongqing Direct Flight Resumption Details:

- Scheduled Resumption Date: October 28 - Frequency: Twice weekly (Wednesdays and Fridays) - Aircraft Type: Airbus A321neo - Flight Numbers: - CI553: Taipei Taoyuan (TPE) → Chongqing Jiangbei (CKG), Departure 15:30, Arrival 19:00 - CI554: Chongqing Jiangbei (CKG) → Taipei Taoyuan (TPE), Departure 20:00, Arrival 23:00

*Actual departure and arrival times, as well as flight changes, are subject to real-time announcements on China Airlines' official website.

China Airlines' Taoyuan–Chongqing Direct Route Suspended for Six Years

In early 2020, amid the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan's Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced preventive measures on February 7, 2020, restricting cross-strait passenger air routes. Starting February 10, 2020, direct passenger flights to mainland China were limited to only five destinations: Beijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong, Shanghai Hongqiao, Xiamen Gaoqi, and Chengdu Shuangliu. All other direct routes, including Chongqing, were suspended. As a result, China Airlines' CI553 (Taoyuan to Chongqing) and CI554 (Chongqing to Taoyuan) flights ceased operations on February 10, 2020.

After a six-year gap, China Airlines is scheduled to resume operations on October 28, 2024. Prior to this resumption, only mainland carriers Air China and Sichuan Airlines operated direct flights between Taoyuan and Chongqing.

Surge in Cross-Strait Direct Flights Since Summer 2024

Since the summer of 2024, there has been a significant surge in direct cross-strait flights. Mainland Chinese airlines have launched or resumed four new cross-strait routes. With China Airlines' resumption of the Taoyuan–Chongqing route, this will become the fifth new or resumed direct cross-strait route since summer 2024.

Latest Cross-Strait Route Resumptions and New Launches:

- China Eastern Airlines: Taichung ↔ Chengdu, resumed July 1, operating Wednesdays and Sundays - Shandong Airlines: Taichung ↔ Qingdao, resumed July 23, operating Thursdays - Spring Airlines: Kaohsiung ↔ Ningbo, launched July 4, operating Tuesdays and Saturdays - Loong Air (Zhejiang): Taichung ↔ Chengdu Tianfu, launched July 28, operating Tuesdays and Saturdays - China Airlines: Taipei Taoyuan ↔ Chongqing Jiangbei, resuming October 28, operating Wednesdays and Fridays

*Actual launch dates and flight changes are subject to official announcements on each airline's website.

1. China Eastern Airlines resumed Taichung–Chengdu service on July 1, operating on Wednesdays and Sundays. 2. Shandong Airlines resumed Taichung–Qingdao flights on July 23, operating weekly on Thursdays. 3. Spring Airlines launched Kaohsiung–Ningbo route on July 4, operating on Tuesdays and Saturdays. 4. Loong Air launched the Taichung–Chengdu Tianfu Airport route on July 28, operating on Tuesdays and Saturdays. 5. Latest update: China Airlines will resume direct flights from Taoyuan Airport to Chongqing Jiangbei Airport on October 28, operating on Wednesdays and Fridays.

As a state-influenced carrier, China Airlines taking the lead in expanding cross-strait routes carries significant symbolic weight.