China Airlines May Revenue Hits Record High, Tigerair Taiwan and STARLUX Airlines Also Report Strong Results
Three Taiwanese airlines, China Airlines, Tigerair Taiwan, and STARLUX Airlines, all reported record-high revenues for May, driven by strong passenger demand and robust AI-related cargo demand.
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- 📰 Published: June 10, 2026 at 20:13
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(Central News Agency, reporter Jiang Mingyan, Taipei, June 10) China Airlines' consolidated revenue for May reached NT$21.23 billion, a record high for a single month, benefiting from a strong passenger market and a 53.5% year-on-year increase in cargo revenue. Tigerair Taiwan's May revenue was a record high for the same period, while STARLUX Airlines' May revenue and cargo revenue both hit all-time highs.
China Airlines' consolidated revenue for May was NT$21.23 billion, a year-on-year increase of 27.73%, setting a new record for a single month. Passenger revenue was NT$11.098 billion, up 11.86% year-on-year, also a record for the period. Cargo revenue was NT$8.263 billion, up 53.5% year-on-year and 12.8% month-on-month, hitting a new high for the year.
China Airlines noted that the travel market remained strong in May, with average load factors exceeding 85% on routes to Rome, Vienna, Frankfurt, Prague, Sydney, and Brisbane. With the summer vacation season approaching and demand driven by several major events in the Asia-Pacific region and the World Cup, bookings remain strong in June, with the best reservation rates on European and North American routes.
In terms of cargo, China Airlines stated that in May, robust demand in the AI sector drove steady shipments of high-tech products such as servers and semiconductor equipment, leading to both higher prices and volumes in the air cargo market. Entering June, the Middle East conflict continues to influence international oil prices. The company is closely monitoring industry dynamics, flexibly deploying its cargo network, and optimizing space allocation to secure additional charter flights and high-value cargo.
Tigerair Taiwan's self-reported May revenue was NT$1.52 billion, an increase of approximately 22% year-on-year, a record high for the same period. This was mainly due to a 13% increase in flight frequencies and a load factor of nearly 90%. Benefiting from strong travel demand in the first quarter of this year, cumulative flight frequencies for the first five months increased by 15% compared to the same period last year, with an average load factor maintaining a high level of 90%. Cumulative revenue also grew by 21% year-on-year, continuing to set new records.
In early June, Tigerair Taiwan announced the launch of Kaohsiung-Ishigaki and Kaohsiung-Komatsu routes, both starting in September. At that time, Tigerair Taiwan will have 11 Japanese destinations from Kaohsiung.
Tigerair emphasized that during periods of oil price volatility, it prioritizes strengthening the capacity of cost-effective routes and continues to focus on high-demand, high-load-factor short-haul markets such as Japan and South Korea to ensure the profitability of its overall network.
STARLUX Airlines' May revenue was NT$4.826 billion, up 3% month-on-month and 41% year-on-year. Revenue for the first five months was NT$23.266 billion, a 28% increase year-on-year. May passenger revenue was NT$3.632 billion, up 37% year-on-year. In terms of cargo, May cargo revenue was NT$713 million, up 37% month-on-month and 68% year-on-year, setting a new single-month record.
STARLUX Airlines stated that strong global demand for AI servers and semiconductor equipment parts, along with a surge in urgent orders for high-tech electronics from Asia to the North American market and high market freight rates, drove cargo revenue to another record high.
STARLUX Airlines announced that its 8th A330neo arrived in Taiwan in May, bringing its fleet to 33 aircraft, including 13 A321neos, 8 A330neos, 10 A350-900s, and 2 A350-1000s. As the fleet continues to expand, STARLUX is not only increasing flight frequencies on existing routes but also actively developing new destinations.
Following the launch of Taipei-Busan and Taichung-Busan routes on June 1, STARLUX Airlines will launch its first European route, Taipei-Prague, on August 1, with three flights per week. Additionally, it will launch the Taipei-Bali route on October 1, with five flights per week. (Editor: Yang Kaixiang) 1150610
China Airlines' consolidated revenue for May was NT$21.23 billion, a year-on-year increase of 27.73%, setting a new record for a single month. Passenger revenue was NT$11.098 billion, up 11.86% year-on-year, also a record for the period. Cargo revenue was NT$8.263 billion, up 53.5% year-on-year and 12.8% month-on-month, hitting a new high for the year.
China Airlines noted that the travel market remained strong in May, with average load factors exceeding 85% on routes to Rome, Vienna, Frankfurt, Prague, Sydney, and Brisbane. With the summer vacation season approaching and demand driven by several major events in the Asia-Pacific region and the World Cup, bookings remain strong in June, with the best reservation rates on European and North American routes.
In terms of cargo, China Airlines stated that in May, robust demand in the AI sector drove steady shipments of high-tech products such as servers and semiconductor equipment, leading to both higher prices and volumes in the air cargo market. Entering June, the Middle East conflict continues to influence international oil prices. The company is closely monitoring industry dynamics, flexibly deploying its cargo network, and optimizing space allocation to secure additional charter flights and high-value cargo.
Tigerair Taiwan's self-reported May revenue was NT$1.52 billion, an increase of approximately 22% year-on-year, a record high for the same period. This was mainly due to a 13% increase in flight frequencies and a load factor of nearly 90%. Benefiting from strong travel demand in the first quarter of this year, cumulative flight frequencies for the first five months increased by 15% compared to the same period last year, with an average load factor maintaining a high level of 90%. Cumulative revenue also grew by 21% year-on-year, continuing to set new records.
In early June, Tigerair Taiwan announced the launch of Kaohsiung-Ishigaki and Kaohsiung-Komatsu routes, both starting in September. At that time, Tigerair Taiwan will have 11 Japanese destinations from Kaohsiung.
Tigerair emphasized that during periods of oil price volatility, it prioritizes strengthening the capacity of cost-effective routes and continues to focus on high-demand, high-load-factor short-haul markets such as Japan and South Korea to ensure the profitability of its overall network.
STARLUX Airlines' May revenue was NT$4.826 billion, up 3% month-on-month and 41% year-on-year. Revenue for the first five months was NT$23.266 billion, a 28% increase year-on-year. May passenger revenue was NT$3.632 billion, up 37% year-on-year. In terms of cargo, May cargo revenue was NT$713 million, up 37% month-on-month and 68% year-on-year, setting a new single-month record.
STARLUX Airlines stated that strong global demand for AI servers and semiconductor equipment parts, along with a surge in urgent orders for high-tech electronics from Asia to the North American market and high market freight rates, drove cargo revenue to another record high.
STARLUX Airlines announced that its 8th A330neo arrived in Taiwan in May, bringing its fleet to 33 aircraft, including 13 A321neos, 8 A330neos, 10 A350-900s, and 2 A350-1000s. As the fleet continues to expand, STARLUX is not only increasing flight frequencies on existing routes but also actively developing new destinations.
Following the launch of Taipei-Busan and Taichung-Busan routes on June 1, STARLUX Airlines will launch its first European route, Taipei-Prague, on August 1, with three flights per week. Additionally, it will launch the Taipei-Bali route on October 1, with five flights per week. (Editor: Yang Kaixiang) 1150610
FAQ
Why did China Airlines' cargo revenue increase significantly in May?
Due to increased demand in the AI sector, leading to robust shipments of high-tech products like servers and semiconductor equipment.
What is Tigerair Taiwan's growth strategy?
Focusing on high-demand, high-load-factor short-haul markets like Japan and South Korea to achieve cost-effective operations.
What are STARLUX Airlines' future route expansion plans?
Plans to launch Taipei-Prague route in August 2024 and Taipei-Bali route in October 2024.