Tigerair Taiwan announced on Friday that it will re-open a route between Taiwan and Phuket in May, to become the first airline with a direct flight between the two destinations that would save flight time by seven hours.
New direct flights that connect Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and Phuket, Thailand, will be launched on May 10, Tigerair Taiwan Chairman Kevin Chen (陳漢銘) told a press conference.
With the easing of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, the new route will have two regular flights per week to serve increasing demand, Chen said.
A direct flight between the two destinations will save travelers about seven hours than taking connecting flights, according to Tigerair Taiwan.
The low-cost carrier currently flies only to Don Mueang, the northern suburbs of Bangkok, in Thailand, after the closure of the route to Phuket 20 years ago.
Star Travel Corp., the only travel agency authorized by Tigerair Taiwan to sell flights for the route, said it expected the new route to boost rebound in tourism.
As Phuket is one of the more popular destinations for Taiwanese and traveling to Krabi and Koh Samui on flights from Phuket is NT$5,000 (US$170) cheaper than from Bangkok, the new route is expected to contribute to the tourism industry, Shu Chen-chen (殳蓁蓁), general manager of the Star Travel Corp., said.
