Taiwan’s EVA banking on more cross-Straits flights

Taiwan's EVA Air aims to focus on further expanding its cross-Straits operation as it takes delivery of new narrowbody aircraft. Expansion of EVA's relatively limited long-haul operation is unlikely as long as there is an opportunity to add capacity in the lucrative cross-Straits market.

EVA chairman, James Jeng states the carrier expects to direct most additional capacity in 2012 to mainland China routes. Speaking to CAPA along the sidelines of last week's Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) meeting in Seoul, Mr Jeng says EVA is not planning to further expand its network in mainland China beyond the 25 destinations it will serve by the end of this year. But he says EVA hopes to increase frequencies to several existing destinations.

Capacity on existing cross-Straits flights will also increase as EVA introduces A321s. Mr Jeng says the carrier has committed to acquiring 14 A321s, with the first three to be delivered from leasing companies in late 2012. The EVA group, which includes subsidiary Uni Airways, plans to use the A321s in its cross-Straits network.