Rising fees for over-flight routes and rising operating costs were cited by EVA Airways for its decision to suspend Taipei-Paris passenger services from 23 November, but will add cargo flights in its place.
Citing strong cargo demand in Europe, EVA said it will launch dedicated Taipei-Paris cargo services, flying twice a week from January 2008. EVA said the average load factor for its cargo flights to Europe reaches as high as 90 per cent.
The airline said it plans to shift its three Taipei-Paris passenger flight per week capacity to its Taipei-Los Angeles services. Currently the carrier operates 17 Taipei-LA passenger flights a week. EVA begins 2 weekly Houston flights
Taiwan-based EVA Air Cargo, has announced it will operate two weekly freighter flights between Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Taipei, starting 1 November. The new service will use a Boeing 747- 400 freighter and will be routed through Anchorage, Alaska on its departure from IAH, before landing in Taipei. The arriving flight will depart from Taipei and will include stops in Anchorage and Chicago,before landing in Houston.
“As a major industrial city, Houston is home to producers of the huge pieces of machinery and specialized equipment that are needed for foundry processes in Taiwan,” the airline said in a statement. “EVA has successfully transported this kind of massive equipment with its B747- 400 freighters before and the new cargo gateway gives the technology industry a convenient, efficient and highly reliable shipping solution.”
EVA Air Cargo is now the third Asian carrier offering scheduled freighter service at IAH. They join China Airlines Cargo and Korean Air Cargo in a growing IAH cargo hub.