Starlux Airlines selects Prague for its European debut, optimistic about its strategic location
Starlux Airlines will launch its first European route to Prague in August, recognizing Prague's strategic location for connecting passenger and cargo transport to Germany and Austria. The airline anticipates strong demand from both tourism and business sectors, particularly due to the growing semiconductor industry in the region.
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National airline extends reach to Europe and America 1 (Central News Agency reporter Yu Hsiao-han, Taipei, 3rd) Starlux Airlines is expanding into the European market, with its first destination being Prague, Czech Republic. Starlux Airlines Chief Strategy Officer Liu Yun-fu stated in an exclusive interview with the Central News Agency that in addition to air traffic rights considerations, they are optimistic about Prague's superior geographical location, allowing for passenger and cargo connections to cities in Germany and Austria.
Starlux Airlines, established eight years ago, will inaugurate its first European route this August, with the Czech capital, Prague, as its first choice. Starlux Airlines has enlisted singer Jolin Tsai to re-interpret her popular 2003 song "Prague Square" to announce the opening of the Prague route, much to the anticipation of many Starlux fans.
Europe has many popular destinations, so why did Starlux choose to fly directly to Prague as the starting point for its European network? Starlux Airlines Chief Strategy Officer Liu Yun-fu pointed out in an exclusive interview with the Central News Agency that Prague holds an excellent position in Central and Eastern Europe.
Liu Yun-fu said that the Czech Republic is one of the few potential markets in Europe not restricted by air traffic rights. Located in the heart of Europe, Prague Airport can connect to countries like Germany, Austria, and Poland, boasting a superior geographical location and extremely convenient transportation.
The Czech Republic itself possesses rich history and culture. Liu Yun-fu stated that Central European tourism has been very popular with Taiwanese travelers in recent years, with high-end itineraries considering Central Europe as a key route, and Prague, Czech Republic, being one of the stops. In addition, Starlux Airlines is also optimistic about the Czech Republic's future role as an economic and trade intermediary point between Taiwan and Europe.
In recent years, the Czech Republic and Taiwan have cooperated closely in culture, economy, and technology. TSMC will establish a factory in Dresden, Germany, and other major technology companies are successively moving into southeastern Czech Republic, which is expected to drive regional industrial development. Liu Yun-fu said that the Czech Republic will have a semiconductor production cluster, which is also an important value for Starlux to open the Prague route.
In the initial phase of the Prague route, Starlux will primarily focus on the tourism market, with high-end tourism being the main driver, expected to account for 50%. Liu Yun-fu analyzed that traveling by land from the Czech Republic can connect to Germany, Austria, and Poland, estimating that in addition to group travelers, independent travelers will also enter and exit Central Europe via Prague.
"Business travel is also expected to be very strong," Liu Yun-fu said. Not only traditional economic and trade business people, but also engineers and executives from the semiconductor cluster will see vigorous business exchanges. Initially, business travelers are estimated to account for 30%, which will later increase to 40%, catching up with the tourism segment.
Regarding the transfer advantage, Liu Yun-fu stated that through flight schedule design, passengers from Southeast Asia, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, or Macau can transfer via Taiwan to Prague; currently, only Beijing (China), Seoul (Korea), Tokyo (Japan), and Taipei (Taiwan) have direct flights to Prague from Asia. It is expected that transfer passengers from Taiwan will account for about 20%.
Liu Yun-fu believes that the ideal passenger mix for the Prague route is 40% business travelers, 40% tourist travelers, and 20% transfer passengers.
In addition to passenger transport, cargo transport is also a significant business opportunity for the Prague route. Particularly, TSMC's establishment of a chip design center in Munich, Germany, and a 12-inch wafer fab in Dresden, coupled with the semiconductor cluster forming in southeastern Czech Republic, will all drive considerable cargo demand.
Liu Yun-fu said that Prague's cargo network in mainland Europe is very mature. With the support of overall objective and subjective conditions, the cargo business of the Prague route can be highly anticipated.
Liu Yun-fu estimated that for the Airbus A350-900 or A350-1000 models that will operate the Prague route, the cargo load for the 900 is expected to reach 80%, about 15 tons; the 1000's cargo load can reach 80%, about 18 tons.
Liu Yun-fu pointed out that both the 900 and 1000 models can attract cargo owners and goods with high time-sensitive requirements, especially high-tech components. With 10 cargo planes gradually delivered and in place in the future, the Prague destination will be even more competitive. (Edited by Chen Ching-fang) 1150503
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Starlux Airlines, established eight years ago, will inaugurate its first European route this August, with the Czech capital, Prague, as its first choice. Starlux Airlines has enlisted singer Jolin Tsai to re-interpret her popular 2003 song "Prague Square" to announce the opening of the Prague route, much to the anticipation of many Starlux fans.
Europe has many popular destinations, so why did Starlux choose to fly directly to Prague as the starting point for its European network? Starlux Airlines Chief Strategy Officer Liu Yun-fu pointed out in an exclusive interview with the Central News Agency that Prague holds an excellent position in Central and Eastern Europe.
Liu Yun-fu said that the Czech Republic is one of the few potential markets in Europe not restricted by air traffic rights. Located in the heart of Europe, Prague Airport can connect to countries like Germany, Austria, and Poland, boasting a superior geographical location and extremely convenient transportation.
The Czech Republic itself possesses rich history and culture. Liu Yun-fu stated that Central European tourism has been very popular with Taiwanese travelers in recent years, with high-end itineraries considering Central Europe as a key route, and Prague, Czech Republic, being one of the stops. In addition, Starlux Airlines is also optimistic about the Czech Republic's future role as an economic and trade intermediary point between Taiwan and Europe.
In recent years, the Czech Republic and Taiwan have cooperated closely in culture, economy, and technology. TSMC will establish a factory in Dresden, Germany, and other major technology companies are successively moving into southeastern Czech Republic, which is expected to drive regional industrial development. Liu Yun-fu said that the Czech Republic will have a semiconductor production cluster, which is also an important value for Starlux to open the Prague route.
In the initial phase of the Prague route, Starlux will primarily focus on the tourism market, with high-end tourism being the main driver, expected to account for 50%. Liu Yun-fu analyzed that traveling by land from the Czech Republic can connect to Germany, Austria, and Poland, estimating that in addition to group travelers, independent travelers will also enter and exit Central Europe via Prague.
"Business travel is also expected to be very strong," Liu Yun-fu said. Not only traditional economic and trade business people, but also engineers and executives from the semiconductor cluster will see vigorous business exchanges. Initially, business travelers are estimated to account for 30%, which will later increase to 40%, catching up with the tourism segment.
Regarding the transfer advantage, Liu Yun-fu stated that through flight schedule design, passengers from Southeast Asia, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, or Macau can transfer via Taiwan to Prague; currently, only Beijing (China), Seoul (Korea), Tokyo (Japan), and Taipei (Taiwan) have direct flights to Prague from Asia. It is expected that transfer passengers from Taiwan will account for about 20%.
Liu Yun-fu believes that the ideal passenger mix for the Prague route is 40% business travelers, 40% tourist travelers, and 20% transfer passengers.
In addition to passenger transport, cargo transport is also a significant business opportunity for the Prague route. Particularly, TSMC's establishment of a chip design center in Munich, Germany, and a 12-inch wafer fab in Dresden, coupled with the semiconductor cluster forming in southeastern Czech Republic, will all drive considerable cargo demand.
Liu Yun-fu said that Prague's cargo network in mainland Europe is very mature. With the support of overall objective and subjective conditions, the cargo business of the Prague route can be highly anticipated.
Liu Yun-fu estimated that for the Airbus A350-900 or A350-1000 models that will operate the Prague route, the cargo load for the 900 is expected to reach 80%, about 15 tons; the 1000's cargo load can reach 80%, about 18 tons.
Liu Yun-fu pointed out that both the 900 and 1000 models can attract cargo owners and goods with high time-sensitive requirements, especially high-tech components. With 10 cargo planes gradually delivered and in place in the future, the Prague destination will be even more competitive. (Edited by Chen Ching-fang) 1150503
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship you provide is a force for safeguarding press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Reproduction, public broadcasting, public transmission, or utilization of the text, images, and videos on this website is prohibited without authorization.