By Central News Agency reporter Chang Hsin-yu, San Francisco, June 14 — EVA Air Americas Senior Vice President Su Wei-jen wore jersey number 10 today to throw the ceremonial first pitch at the San Francisco Giants’ beloved Major League Baseball Hello Kitty Day, symbolizing the upcoming launch of Washington as the airline’s 10th passenger destination in North America. Su said direct flights from Taoyuan to Washington will begin on June 26, with all flights this month already fully booked, underscoring the strong ties between North America and Taiwan.

The San Francisco Giants hosted their popular Hello Kitty Day today, with EVA Air serving as sponsor for the third consecutive year.

Four hours before game time, crowds had already gathered outside the stadium. The Giants said Hello Kitty Day draws massive crowds annually, prompting them to host a second event in August — the first time the team has held two Hello Kitty Days in a single season.

Su Wei-jen and Hello Kitty jointly served as ceremonial first pitch guests.

With the Taoyuan-Washington direct route about to launch, Su told reporters that June’s round-trip flights are already fully booked, while July and August booking rates are nearing 90%, indicating strong demand. The airline hopes to follow the Dallas route model, starting with four weekly flights and gradually increasing to daily service within months.

Su said that following Houston and Washington, the company is also evaluating service to Boston, aiming to further strengthen ties between North America and Taiwan.

With the launch of Washington service, EVA Air’s North American passenger destinations will expand to 10, increasing weekly round-trip flights to North America to 98 — making it the Taiwanese airline with the most North American destinations and the densest flight schedule. Su specially wore jersey number 10 for the first pitch to highlight this milestone.

At the event, EVA Air introduced the new configuration for its San Francisco-Taipei BR07 and BR08 flights. The route will now be operated by the brand-new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, offering a three-cabin layout and fourth-generation Premium Economy Class, aiming to enhance the long-haul travel experience for passengers. (Edited by Wei Shu) 1150615

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  • Source: CNA (Central News Agency)
  • Category: Event