TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Tainan City Government (台南市政府) announced Wednesday (Oct. 1) new flight routes to Kumamoto and Okinawa launching by December's end. The collaboration with Tigerair Taiwan (台灣虎航) features two weekly flights per route, targeting expanded international tourism markets. The initiative marks a significant expansion of southern Taiwan's direct international connectivity.
Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) described the development as a breakthrough for Tainan's tourism sector. The Tainan-Kumamoto route launches Dec. 23 with Tuesday and Friday flights, while Tainan-Okinawa service begins Dec. 25. The Okinawa route operates on Thursdays and Sundays, providing convenient weekend travel options.
The Tainan City Government Tourism Bureau (台南市政府觀光旅遊局) cited deep historical and cultural connections between the cities. Tainan and Kumamoto share links through Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSMC, 台積電) facilities and culinary tourism exchanges. Tainan and Okinawa connect through maritime cultural heritage developed through centuries of sea trade.
Tigerair Taiwan's new routes connect Tainan with southwestern Japan, fostering bilateral tourism, economic, and cultural exchanges. The initiative enhances visitor flows and creates fresh opportunities for cultural and economic interactions between the regions. Tainan positions itself as an emerging international travel hub, potentially enabling future regional tourism infrastructure expansions. ◼