China-based low-cost carrier Spring Airlines Co Ltd announced that it will be opening direct flights from Shanghai to Kaohsiung starting from October 27, 2013. The airline has become the first privately-owned carrier from China to have direct flights across the Taiwan Straits.
The airline will have three flights a week on the route, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays and they will last about 2 hours and 10 minutes. Kaohsiung is considered to be Taiwan’s second biggest city and an industrial center which is located in the southwest. On the other hand, Shanghai has premium infrastructure and plenty of opportunities for economic development and has been attractive to Taiwan people for a while.
In November 2010, a poll was conducted which stated that about 700,000 people from Taiwan settled in Shanghai. The rising cooperation across the Taiwan Straits led to the creation of huge demand for direct flights. The airline is expected to provide tickets between the two cities which will be 30 to 40 percent lower than the market average.
The official website of the airline mentioned the price of the tickets as low as 430 yuan. A spokesperson for Spring Airlines confirmed that the company will provide 10 special offers for every flight and these tickets will be available for smartphone users after Saturday.
Photo Credits: SCMP
