Mandarin Airlines plans to suspend two domestic flight routes connecting Hualien with Kaohsiung and Taichung.
These cuts threaten to reduce accessibility to eastern Taiwan, potentially impacting the flow of international tourists to the region. Tourism groups said the removal of these connections will hurt visitor numbers.
Mandarin Airlines, a subsidiary of China Airlines, cited severe financial underperformance as the primary driver for the decision. According to data from the carrier, the flights in question are currently operating at only 20% to 30% capacity [1]. This low load factor has contributed to an annual financial loss of over $2 million [2].
The airline's decision highlights the difficulty of maintaining low-demand domestic corridors in the face of high operational costs. By removing the Hualien-Kaohsiung and Hualien-Taichung segments, the company aims to stem the ongoing deficit associated with these specific paths.
Local tourism stakeholders said they are concerned over the timing of the cuts. The loss of these air links may force travelers to rely on longer ground transportation, which could deter international visitors from exploring Hualien after visiting the southern or central hubs of Kaohsiung and Taichung.
While the airline has not provided a specific date for the suspension, the move reflects a broader shift toward prioritizing high-yield routes over subsidized or low-occupancy domestic services.
“Flights are operating at only 20% to 30% capacity”
The suspension of these routes underscores the economic fragility of domestic aviation in Taiwan's eastern region. When flight loads drop below 30%, the operational cost of maintaining the service becomes unsustainable for private carriers without significant government subsidies. This move may force a shift in regional tourism patterns, increasing the burden on rail and road infrastructure as air connectivity declines.
