EVA Air revenue falls in September, Starlux, Tigerair Taiwan report growth

Taipei, Oct. 11 (CNA) EVA Airways, one of the leading international carriers in Taiwan, reported a 10 percent year-on-year decline in revenue September, while Starlux Airlines, the newest Taiwanese international carrier, and Tigerair Taiwan, the only low-cost airlines in the country, posted growth in the month.

EVA Air said it posted NT$15.62 billion (US$512 million) in consolidated sales in September, down 10 percent from a year earlier, adding that the decline came as Ghost Month in Taiwan affected consumer appetite to take overseas trips, while demand also fell after the summer vacation ended.

In Taiwan, Ghost Month, which was from Aug. 23 to Sept. 21 this year, has become a taboo time for many travelers to fly overseas amid fears over bad luck.

In September, EVA Air said sales posted by its passenger flights totaled NT$9.32 billion and revenue generated by cargo services hit NT$4.33 billion.

EVA Air said demand for its flights to U.S. destinations were affected by U.S. tariff policies in September, while flights to Europe and Australia remained stable, with the average load factor -- an industry metric that measures percentage of passenger capacity used -- at more than 85 percent.

Other than flights to Bali, Indonesia, demand for flights to most of its regional destinations slowed in September, while demand for flights to Chinese destinations moved higher from a year earlier to support the airlines' regional flight operations.

In the first nine months of the year, EVA Air's consolidated sales fell 1.07 percent from a year earlier to NT$162.69 billion.

EVA Air said it remains upbeat about October as the month has three national holidays that are likely to boost travel demand. In addition, the carrier will launch flights to Busan, South Korea, in late October and the new route is expected to generate more sales in the month as well as the fourth quarter.

The carrier said the fourth quarter is peak season for cargo services so sales are also likely to move higher.

For its part, Starlux Airlines said it posted NT$2.95 billion in consolidated sales, up 5 percent from a year earlier after revenue from cargo services rose 26 percent from a year earlier to NT$444 million.

Starlux Airlines said it will introduce a new winter flight schedule at the end of October by providing more flights in the region, resuming flights to Manila on Dec. 16 and launching flights to Phoenix, Arizona, on Jan. 15, 2026, further boosting sales.

During the January-September period, Starlux Airlines posted NT$32.70 billion in consolidated sales, up 26 percent from a year earlier.

Meanwhile, Tigerair Taiwan said its consolidated sales stood at NT$1.28 billion in September, up 1 percent from a year earlier as the number of its flights rose 7.8 percent year-on-year, with an average load factor of 85 percent easing the impact from slow season effects.

In the first nine months of this year, Tigerair Taiwan generated NT$12.59 billion in consolidated sales, little changed from a year earlier, with its average load factor at around 87 percent.