Eva Air says it will redeploy Boeing 777-300ER aircraft onto key US routes following the withdrawal of unprofitable services to Paris.
The Taipei carrier has suspended flights to the French capital, after what it calls ”spiralling fuel and operating costs, combined with high airspace compensation fees” forced a rethink.
Deployment of the 777-300ER will allow Eva Air to link Taipei with New York Newark from 4 December this year, making use of the aircraft”s ultra-long range capability.
Flight times will reduce on the thrice-weekly service from New York by fours to 14h, although return flights will need a 1h15min refuelling stop in Anchorage, Alaska, to compensate for strong headwinds.
Taipei-LA services will increase from 17 to 20 per week, while the 777-300ER will also be introduced on Taiwan-Seattle flights.
Despite pulling off Paris, Eva Air says it hopes to continue promoting the destination through its London, Amsterdam and Vienna gateways, adding there may be a possibility of negotiating an interline agreement with another ” unnamed ” carrier.
All connections to the French capital have not been cut however ” Eva Air will operate new MD11 all-cargo services from January, 2008.
US weekly frequencies from the Taiwanese airline will now number 39 with the addition of New York and the carrier estimates it will serve all its American destinations with 777-300ERs by the end of 2008.