EVA Air will increase its capacity to Hakodate, the third-largest city on Japan’s northernmost island, Hokkaido. 

With the launch of its new Taipei and Hakodate service, EVA Air will further cement its credentials as Taiwan’s leading independent airline.

EVA executive vice president, Austin Cheng, commented: “With the launch of Hakodate service and our existing Sapporo operations, EVA is now providing close to 3,000 seats a week. 

“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.”

Addressing a crowd of passengers and dignitaries at the inaugural flight in Taipei on October 28th, EVA Chairman James Jeng highlighted Hakodate’s long-standing popularity among Taiwanese travellers:

“Hakodate is EVA’s first new route under the Open Sky Agreement between Japan and Taiwan.

“It’s also a route we’ve been serving with seasonal charters since 1998. And while we have provided approximately 400 charter flights since then, our regularly scheduled operations make travel between Hakodate and Taipei far more attractive and accessible.

“Hakodate is a very promising travel market,”

EVA Air will operate two flights a week; on its 252-seat Airbus 330-200 giving passengers more access between Hokkaido and Taiwan than any other airline.

The airline will add a third weekly flight between Taiwan and Hokkaido on Thursdays, starting in December 2012.

The flight time between Taoyuan and Hakodate is about three and a half hours.

EVA has worked closely with the trade to create ticket and hotel packages and guided tours that complement its Sapporo products.

Passengers can arrange trips so that they arrive in one city and depart from the other to see what Japan’s northernmost has to offer from fascinating culture to a wealth of natural beauty.

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 at very competitive prices.