China Airlines’ CI006 Celebrates US Visa Waiver Program for Taiwan

2012-11-03 — /travelprnews.com/ — Starting from November 1, Taiwanese passport holders are eligible to travel to the United States for tourism or business purpose, for stays of 90 days or less under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). As China Airlines flight CI006 departing for Los Angeles at 17:10 was the first direct flight from Taiwan to the US on the day, a U.S.-Taiwan Visa Waiver Program Direct Flight Inaugural Ceremony was organized by the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Taoyuan International Airport and China Airlines (CAL) celebrated this historic moment. The Los Angeles International Airport in the U.S. will also have an enthusiastic welcome ceremony for the first Taiwanese visa waiver passengers.

At the departure ceremony, CAL’s Chairman, Dr. Chang Chia-Juch, mentioned that Taiwan’s inclusion in the U.S. VWP was a tangible example of improved US-Taiwan relations that expands Taiwan’s international presence. Combined with the government’s “100 Visa-Free Countries” initiative, this will make it easier for people to travel abroad and boost business for airlines.

The five existing U.S. routes operated by CAL are Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Hawaii and Guam, with a total of 33 flights a week, including fourteen weekly Taipei-Los Angeles services, seven weekly Taipei-San Francisco and Taipei-Narita-Hawaii services, three weekly Taipei-Osaka-New York services, as well as a twice-weekly Taipei-Guam service. These services are all operated by B747-400 aircraft except for the Taipei-Guam route which is currently operated by A330-300. China Airlines’ CI006 departing on this day is also code shared with Delta Airlines’ flight DL7732. After its departure at 17:10 (Taipei time), it will fly for 11.5 hours and is estimated to land in Los Angeles at 13:40 (local time).

CAL has been deepening its presence in the US market for years. As a SkyTeam member, CAL collaborates with another member, Delta Airlines, through code-share to provide travelers with a variety of transit options to inland cities in the US. Upon arrival in the U.S., CAL passengers can enjoy quick connection to onward flights to 18 major cities such as Atlanta, Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. There are more than 365 weekly flights available.

To celebrate Taiwan’s inclusion in the U.S. VWP, Dynasty Package customers departing before January 15, 2013 for Los Angeles/San Francisco/Hawaii/New York will receive a special gift. Gifts include a dinner at a medieval castle in Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay cruise, a tour around the Hawaii Island and tickets to the observation deck of the Empire State Building in New York. CAL will also have periodic weekend offers with specific U.S. flights on its website (http://www.china-airlines.com/en/index.htm).

CAL would like to remind travelers to have an IC passport issued by the Republic of China and submit an application to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) in advance. For the scope of application and detailed regulations regarding visa-free travel to the U.S., please visit MOFA website (http://www.mofa.gov.tw/Home/SubTitle/ceb2bb37-025d-4149-9b1c-fa250af294e4) as well as the VWP section on the AIT website (http://www.ait.org.tw/zh/vwp.html).

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China Airlines’ CI006 Celebrates US Visa Waiver Program for Taiwan

China Airlines’ CI006 Celebrates US Visa Waiver Program for Taiwan