TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Scoot (酷航) has announced an expansion of its flight routes, introducing three new destinations from Taipei in mid-November. Starting Dec. 20, travelers can fly to Phu Quoc, Vietnam; Padang, Indonesia; and Shantou, China. These routes offer one-way economy class fares starting at NT$4,392, including taxes.
Starlux Airlines (星宇航空) plans to launch flights to Kobe in the summer of 2025, becoming the first Taiwanese airline to do so. The airline will also commence a Taichung-Okinawa route on Dec. 2, with preparations underway to open a Kaohsiung route in 2025, aiming for a launch in the first quarter of 2026. This development will make international travel more convenient for residents in southern Taiwan.
As the Japanese yen continues to depreciate, airlines are keen to expand into the Japanese market. Tigerair Taiwan (台灣虎航) will inaugurate a direct flight from Kaohsiung to New Chitose Airport in Hokkaido on Jan. 21, 2025, marking the first direct route from Kaohsiung to Hokkaido.
The third quarter has been promising for the airline industry, with EVA Air and Starlux Airlines reporting record profits. China Airlines and Tigerair Taiwan have already surpassed their earnings from last year in the first three quarters. Airlines remain optimistic about the fourth quarter, expecting strong travel demand during the holiday season to maintain momentum despite the traditional off-peak period.