TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's luxury carrier STARLUX Airlines (星宇航空) forged a strategic codeshare partnership with Middle Eastern aviation giant Etihad Airways Tuesday (June 3) during the International Air Transport Association's (國際航空運輸協會, IATA) 81st annual global industry gathering. The agreement, signed amid industry leaders from around the world, marks a significant expansion of Taiwan's international air connectivity.
Under the new arrangement, travelers will gain the ability to reserve journeys originating from any STARLUX-served airport to Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates capital and Etihad's global hub, with smooth connections to numerous European destinations operated by the Gulf carrier. Bookings will be available directly through STARLUX's digital platforms and reservation systems. Aviation analysts note this partnership substantially broadens the Taiwanese airline's international reach, establishing a strategic Middle Eastern gateway to European markets while positioning STARLUX for its anticipated direct European route expansion planned for 2026.
The reciprocal arrangement offers Etihad customers streamlined connections through Taiwan's capital city to prominent Japanese destinations, including the industrial center of Nagoya, the northern tourism hub of Sapporo, and the southern gateway of Fukuoka, enhancing travel options across Northeast Asia's varied markets. During the signing ceremony, STARLUX's Chief Strategy Officer Liu Yunfu emphasized the alignment between the carriers, noting Etihad's worldwide recognition for pioneering service standards and innovative approaches to air travel—values that resonate with STARLUX's own premium brand identity and customer experience focus.
The five-year-old Taiwanese carrier presently maintains a network spanning 27 destinations across 32 distinct routes, including significant North American service to West Coast metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle, complemented by its newer addition of Ontario in Southern California. Industry observers suggest this strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad will substantially strengthen STARLUX's position among international competitors, particularly as post-pandemic travel continues to normalize, offering passengers more integrated global itineraries with synchronized schedules, unified baggage policies, and streamlined connection processes. ◼