First direct UK flight to Taiwan for five years

CHINA Airlines is returning to the UK after a five-year hiatus as it launches the only direct flight from Britain to Taiwan.

The flagship carrier for the Republic of China is hoping to boost tourism, and exploit efforts by ministers to forge closer business links between the UK and the thriving small island nation.

Flights will start on December 1 between London Gatwick and Taipei’s Taoyuan International airport.

The service will operate four times a week from Gatwick’s South Terminal, with a flight time of just over 13 hours aboard China Airlines’ Airbus A350-900, which carries 306 passengers.

China Airlines previously operated a direct route between London Heathrow and Taipei from 2010 to 2012. But it scrapped the service as it was hit by the economic downturn. Roger Han, senior vice president Europe at China Airlines, said: ‘We’re incredibly excited to be returning to the UK this year, making travel between the UK and Taiwan that much more simple and accessible.’