China Airlines anticipating further cross-Strait liberalisation

China Airlines announced plans to lease two A330s in 2010 for Mainland services, in anticipation of further liberalisation of cross-Strait services (Bloomberg, 24-Aug-09). The carrier currently operates B747 equipment on cross-Strait services to Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen. China Airlines expects approximately 10% of total sales to be from cross-Strait services by the end of 2009, an increase from 7.3% in 2008.

China Airlines: "The 'Golden Route' is now China. It used to be Japan and Hong Kong, but yields there have fallen because of the economic crisis," Philip Wei, Chairman. Source: Bloomberg, 24-Aug-09.