Taipei to Chennai, now a direct link

China Airlines today launched its freighter service to Chennai from Taipei.

China Airlines of Taiwan has suspended its dedicated freighter service to Delhi.

Instead, it has added Chennai as the latest destination to connect with Taipei, famous for manufacturing electronics items.

While the Delhi freighter service was suspended in March due to poor volumes, the airline will continue to carry cargo in its regular passenger flights coming from Taipei.

Two services

The service to Chennai was launched with the arrival of the first aircraft this morning. In a week, the airline will have two services – Wednesdays and Sundays.

The route will be Taipei-Kuala Lumpur-Chennai-Taipei.

“In the past, Delhi was the hub for us.

However, today, it is Chennai, which has emerged as a strong hub due to the presence of large manufacturing units, including mobile phones,” said Mr Brian Chou, Senior Vice- President, China Airlines.

This is a $3.5 billion airline with a fleet strength of 71 aircraft, including 21 freighters, he said.

Valuable route

“The new service to Chennai is a very valuable route for us. If the volume increases, the airline might consider having three services in a week to Chennai,” he said.

The B747-400F aircraft will arrive in Chennai at 09.10 am and leave at 11.30 am. In the first service, the aircraft carried nearly 50 tonnes of cargo, mainly electronic items, he said.

In the return leg, Mr Chou said the freighter will carry electronic goods, leather, textiles and garments to Luxemburg, which is a major air cargo hub in Europe.

The Chennai service will serve the dual purpose of getting imports from the main source of South East Asia and export to European destinations, he said.

>raja@thehindu.co.in

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