Direct flights between Taiwan and mainland China resumed
In a world where distances are measured not only in kilometres but also in time, direct air routes become bridges connecting not only cities but also the fates of people, their cultures and economies. When transfers and hours of waiting are eliminated, the illusion of remoteness fades, giving way to lively exchange and mutual interest. The resumption of cross‑strait flights is always a step forward, reminding us that people‑to‑people contacts and exchanges remain the essential fabric of any relationship.
On Saturday, Spring Airlines resumed direct flights between the Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung and Ningbo in Zhejiang Province, marking another restoration of air links across the Taiwan Strait. The route will operate twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Spring Airlines representatives said that previously passengers travelling between the two cities had to make connecting flights, and a one‑way trip usually took more than five hours. With the resumption of direct flights, travel time has been cut to about two hours, significantly improving travel efficiency.
Several mainland Chinese airlines have recently resumed direct cross‑strait flights. China Eastern Airlines resumed direct flights between Taichung and Chengdu on 1 July, and Shandong Airlines is expected to resume direct flights between Taichung and Qingdao on 23 July. China Eastern reported that the first resumed flight from Taichung to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, carried 163 passengers. Local tour operators said that thanks to the resumption of direct flights, tour bookings from Taichung to Sichuan have already been filled for months ahead.
On 12 April, mainland China introduced a package of 10 policy measures covering inter‑party interaction, infrastructure, tourism, trade and culture, aimed at boosting exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan. As CCTV+ reports. The restoration of direct flights is a practical step in implementing these measures and helps deepen people‑to‑people ties across the strait.
