Mandarin Airlines A321neo makes domestic debut on domestic route

Taipei, Sept. 13 (CNA) Mandarin Airlines on Sunday flew a newly delivered Airbus A321neo between Kaohsiung and Penghu, marking the aircraft's debut as the China Airlines (CAL) Group expands its operations in southern Taiwan.

The A321neo, registered B-18135, was recently delivered to the CAL Group and will primarily be deployed on CAL's international routes from Kaohsiung following Sunday's domestic debut, while also supporting Mandarin Airlines' domestic services when needed, according to CAL.

To mark the aircraft's inaugural Kaohsiung-Penghu flight, airports in Kaohsiung and Penghu held water-cannon salute ceremonies to welcome the aircraft into service in southern Taiwan.

CAL President Kevin Chen (陳漢銘) said the group's newest A321neo has officially entered service in southern Taiwan and, after Sunday's domestic "warm-up" flight, will begin operating international routes from Kaohsiung.

Mandarin Airlines Chairman Chen Ta-chun (陳大鈞) said the carrier prepared limited-edition inaugural flight certificates for passengers on the maiden voyage, many of whom posed for photos with the new aircraft to commemorate the occasion.

Mandarin Airlines currently operates a fleet of 13 ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft on domestic routes after completing its "ATR 2.0" fleet renewal program in the first half of this year, company President Bryant Chuang (莊明哲) said.

As part of the CAL Group's strategy to strengthen its presence in southern Taiwan, Mandarin Airlines has also launched a program to introduce a two more A321neo aircraft, with deliveries scheduled to begin in the second half of 2027, Chuang said.

The new jets will gradually be deployed on regional international routes from Kaohsiung, improving travel convenience for passengers in southern Taiwan while enhancing the airline's competitiveness, he added.