Prague:Starlux Airlines, Taiwan's newest international carrier, has expanded its Taipei-Prague service to four nonstop flights weekly starting October 1. This increase from the initial three flights, which began when the route was launched in August, aims to accommodate the growing demand, as announced by the airline on Sunday.
According to Focus Taiwan, the addition of Starlux's flights, alongside China Airlines' three weekly services, provides travelers with a daily nonstop option between Taiwan and the Czech capital. China Airlines began its Prague route in 2023 and expanded it to three flights per week in April.
Starlux Airlines inaugurated its Prague route on August 1 as its first European destination, becoming the second Taiwanese carrier to offer direct flights to Prague. Starlux spokesperson Walter Liang reported a passenger load factor of 82 percent for the route in August and anticipates it will remain above 80 percent in November, despite being the low season for European travel. This sustained demand is partly due to Czech travelers flying to Japan via Taiwan.
Liang also noted that the direct service is expected to enhance tourism, investment, and business cooperation, particularly within Taiwan's semiconductor supply chain. The expansion aligns with increasing Taiwanese semiconductor investments in Central Europe, following Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.'s project in Dresden, Germany. Companies like TaMiCo Technology Taiwan Ltd. are planning new facilities in the Czech region of Ústí nad Labem.
Prague remains a popular tourist destination, featuring attractions such as the Charles Bridge, Old Town Square, and the Astronomical Clock. In a bid to promote the route, Starlux has named pop icon Jolin Tsai as a brand ambassador and launched flights themed around Japanese artist Hajime Sorayama's designs, utilizing Airbus A350-1000 jetliners in special liveries.
Liang added that the art-themed aircraft have contributed to high load factors on other routes as well, with early-morning Tokyo flights averaging around 90 percent and strong performance on services to Phoenix.
