Mandarin Airlines to Apply for Suspension of Kaohsiung-Hualien and Taichung-Hualien Routes by July

Mandarin Airlines Chairman Chen Da-jun announced on the 1st that the airline plans to apply for the suspension of its Kaohsiung-Hualien and Taichung-Hualien routes by July this year. Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) Director-General Ho Shu-ping stated that the agency will conduct a comprehensive evaluation once the application is submitted. The occupancy rates for Mandarin Airlines' Kaohsiung-Hualien and Taichung-Hualien routes are only around 20-30%, with projected losses of NT$70 million for the two routes this year. Following a press conference for the airline's 35th anniversary, Chen told reporters that the application for suspension would be filed with the CAA by July. He noted that while the airline has tried to improve occupancy, it hopes for public understanding regarding the decision. In response, Ho stated that the CAA is aware of the challenges regarding domestic routes, particularly to Hualien, and will evaluate the situation after the formal application. Ho also mentioned that the CAA is currently reviewing costs for domestic airfares, which have been frozen for 26 years, though a full assessment will take time. Celebrating its 35th anniversary, Mandarin Airlines is actively upgrading its fleet and network. Having completed the introduction of 13 ATR 2.0 aircraft in April, the airline plans to lease China Airlines' A321neo aircraft from July to August to handle summer travel demand. It has also initiated plans to introduce A321neo aircraft for regional international routes starting in the second half of next year.