Mandarin Airlines applies to suspend Hualien routes; CAA reviewing data

Mandarin Airlines has formally requested to suspend its flight routes connecting Hualien with Kaohsiung and Taichung. The airline cited persistently low passenger loads and sustained financial losses as the primary reasons for this application.

According to Mandarin Airlines Chairman Chen Ta-chun, the Kaohsiung-Hualien route has seen passenger loads of only 20%, while the Taichung-Hualien route operates at about 30% capacity. Even with a 50% discount for seniors, these figures have not been sufficient to improve profitability. There have been instances where a flight carried as few as five passengers. Chen noted that Hualien is accessible via other transportation methods like trains and buses, indicating a lack of high demand for air travel on these specific routes.

The airline submitted its application to Taiwan's Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) in late June. Chen explained that the process involves potential requests for additional documentation and a mandatory two-month public announcement period after approval, making the exact timeline for suspension uncertain. Mandarin Airlines hopes that suspending these routes will allow them to reallocate resources to more in-demand routes, particularly to the offshore islands.

The CAA has confirmed receipt of the airline's documentation for the suspension of the Kaohsiung-Hualien and Taichung-Hualien routes and is currently reviewing the provided information. If approved, the airline anticipates increasing flight frequency to routes like Kinmen and Penghu, depending on seasonal demand, potentially adding one flight per week.

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one side (Taichung-Hualien, Kaohsiung-Hualien) is empty, the other side (outlying islands) is full, with demand exceeding supply.