2012-10-29 — /travelprnews.com/ — EVA Air now links Taiwan to a second destination in Hokkaido with flights between Taipei and Hakodate, the third-largest city on Japan’s northernmost island. The airline celebrated the new service with festivities beginning at the departure gate in Taipei and continuing in Hakodate upon its first regularly scheduled arrival.
“With the launch of Hakodate service and our existing Sapporo operations, EVA is now providing close to 3,000 seats a week and giving passengers more access between Hokkaido and Taiwan than any other airline. Our schedule and frequency give business and leisure passengers greater flexibility and more itinerary options, significantly reduce travel time and provide exceptionally convenient service. Passengers can arrive in one city and depart from the other,” said EVA Executive Vice President Austin Cheng during the Taipei launch ceremony.
EVA is operating a 252-seat Airbus 330-200 on its new route. Flight BR138 departs Taoyuan at 11:05 am and arrives in Hakodate at 15:35 (3:35 pm) on Sundays and Wednesdays. Return flight BR137 leaves Hakodate at 16:50 (4:50 pm) and lands back in Taoyuan at 20:15 (8:15 pm) on the same day.
Addressing a crowd of passengers and dignitaries upon arrival of the launch flight, EVA Chairman James Jeng highlighted Hakodate’s long-standing popularity among Taiwanese travelers.
“Hakodate is EVA’s first new route under the Open Sky Agreement between Japan and Taiwan. We have been serving the route with seasonal charters since 1998 and have provided approximately 400 charter flights. The regularly scheduled operations we are offering now make travel between Hakodate and
Taipei even more attractive and accessible. Hakodate is a very promising travel market,” said EVA Chairman James Jeng.
Hokkaido is known for its abundant natural resources and tourism development. It offers four distinct seasons and year-round attractions, from cherry blossoms in spring and lavender in summer to maple leaves in fall and snow in winter and has become a leading destination for travelers from Taiwan. Those flying EVA can arrange trips so that they arrive in either Hakodate or Sapporo and depart from the other city. EVA has worked with travel agencies to create tour packages that complement its Sapporo products.
EVA will add a third weekly flight between Taiwan and Hokkaido on Thursdays, starting in December 2012. Flight time between Taoyuan and Hakodate is about three and a half hours.
EVA’s routing within Asia is among the best in the airline industry. From gateways in Europe, Oceania and North America passengers can make one stop in Taipei and easily connect onward to most major business and leisure destinations throughout Asia, including China. Travelers can check schedules, book, buy and reserve seats through travel agents and brokers, by calling an EVA ticket office or at www.evaair.com.
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