Taiwan Expands Air Connectivity with Finland and Italy
Taiwan’s aviation market is experiencing continued growth, with recent air service agreements with Finland and Italy expected to further enhance connectivity to Europe. These agreements are set to open new opportunities for airlines, providing increased capacity and the potential for new routes.
The Taiwan-Finland agreement marks Taiwan’s first aviation services pact with a Nordic country. The agreement allows both countries to designate multiple airlines to operate 14 weekly passenger and cargo flights, with fifth-freedom rights permitting stopovers in intermediate cities. This development is expected to boost travel options between Taiwan and Finland, providing better access to the Nordic region.
Meanwhile, Taiwan has also expanded its air service agreement with Italy, revising a deal originally signed in 2015. The amendment increases passenger capacity from seven to 19 weekly flights, adding Venice as a new destination alongside existing routes to Rome and Milan. While cargo flights remain at three per week, the deal now includes two weekly fifth-freedom rights for air cargo operators, further enhancing freight options.
According to OAG Schedules Analyser, Taiwan-Europe seat capacity is set to reach nearly 1.1 million two-way seats for the summer 2025 season, reflecting a 1.7% year-on-year increase and a 6.6% rise compared to summer 2019. Turkey, Germany, and France are the top three countries contributing to this growth, with Turkish Airlines, China Airlines, and EVA Air leading the market share.
Taiwanese carriers dominate the Taiwan-Europe market, with China Airlines and EVA Air together accounting for over 70% of the available seats for the upcoming season. Other international carriers, such as Turkish Airlines and KLM, also play significant roles in the market.
The rise in passenger traffic between Taiwan and Europe is evident, with total O&D (origin and destination) traffic reaching 1.47 million two-way passengers in 2024, a 20% increase from the previous year. The busiest city pairs include Taipei-Paris, Taipei-Istanbul, and Taipei-London.
Demand for travel to and from Italy remains strong, with 157,000 two-way passengers recorded in 2024, reflecting a 14% increase year-on-year. Meanwhile, the newly unserved Taiwan-Finland route saw significant growth, with 24,600 passengers recorded in 2024, a 72% increase compared to 2023.
Chinese Airlines and EVA Air already serve Italy, with China Airlines operating three weekly flights to Rome and EVA Air flying four times a week to Milan. These routes have shown strong demand, with average passenger load factors reaching 81% in 2024. The growing demand between Taiwan and Europe, along with new agreements, is likely to further boost Taiwan’s presence in the European market.
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