Taiwan-Palau direct flights to increase from April

Taipei, March 1 (CNA) There will be an increase in direct flight services between Taiwan and Palau starting April, Taiwan's Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang (田中光) said Friday.

Tien told an event on international parliamentary cooperation at the Legislative Yuan that the increase in direct flights was expected to improve tourism ties between Palau and Taiwan.

Tien noted that Taiwan and Palau have already worked closely in areas such as culture and marine conservation.

China Airlines, which is the sole operator of Taiwan-Palau flights, said last month that an additional round-trip service will be introduced on April 1, bringing the number of weekly flights to three.

Weekly services will be increased to four from July 18, the carrier said.

Flights on the Taiwan-Palau averaged 80 percent capacity as of the fourth quarter, 2023, according to Taiwan's Civil Aviation Administration (CAA).

Palauan Ambassador David Adams Orrukem, who attended Friday's event, said he was optimistic about future bilateral cooperation.

Orrukem added that there would be four Palauan political figures visiting Taiwan in the near future.

Palau is one of 12 states that maintains diplomatic relations with the Republic of China, Taiwan's official name.