AirAsia now flies direct to Taipei

THERE’S another reason to book early tickets for a quick trip abroad: AirAsia has just opened direct flights from Cebu to Taipei, Taiwan, with a promo sale to boot. And there’s more good news: Taiwan, a top destination where tradition, modernity and nature meet, has eased its visa rules for Filipino travelers.

Starting Nov. 25, AirAsia will operate direct flights from Cebu to Taipei, with promo fares from as low as P888. The move expands the Cebu hub of the world’s best low-cost airline, on top of its South Korea and Kuala Lumpur routes.

“We are delighted and excited to paint Cebu skies red with our latest direct flight to Taipei. The addition of Cebu-Taipei enables us to further strengthen our hub in Cebu,” said Philippines AirAsia CEO Captain Dexter Comendador in a press statement.

Department of Tourism Usec. Erwin Balane, along with officials of the Mactan Cebu International Airport and the Taiwan Economic Cultural Office, expressed their support at a formal launch in Vikings, SM City Cebu last Oct. 19. The stakeholders and guests also held a VIP gathering for the launch at Circa 1900 later that evening.

The launch of the Taipei flights is real cause for celebration, and what better way to get ardent travelers on board than with promotional fares for as low as P888 for Cebu-Taipei. Promo tickets are up for grabs up to Nov. 23 on airasia.com, with travel period between Nov. 25 to March 25, 2017.

There are plenty of reasons to visit Taiwan via Taipei: seeing the iconic Taipei 101 up close, immersing in the countless night markets, enjoying local cuisine that’s a global favorite, and experiencing the coming together of culture and innovation, nature and technology, the urban and the rural, all in an oriental setting.

To make visa application easier, eligible Filipino applicants can apply online for a Taiwan travel authorization certificate, free of charge. Filipino pass- port holders are considered eligible to apply online if they hold a visa or a resident card from Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, United States, United Kingdom and Schengen Agreement signatories that is either valid or expired within 10 years from the date of expected arrival in Taipei, the Taiwan Economic Cultural Office said in a statement.

On top of Taipei and its current flights to South Korea, AirAsia will also increase flights between Cebu and Kuala Lumpur from three to four times weekly starting Oct. 29,

Vendor selling a variety of fruits on the sidewalk

Walk bridge in the fishing town of Tamsui, Taiwan

The iconic Taipei 101 building