By KHT Staff
KAOHSIUNG — AirAsia will launch a new Kaohsiung–Osaka air service in June, expanding its use of so-called “fifth-freedom” routes and strengthening air links between southern Taiwan and Japan.
The new service will operate between Kaohsiung and Osaka as an extension of AirAsia’s existing Kuala Lumpur–Kaohsiung route. Flights are scheduled to begin on June 15, with daily service planned through the summer travel season.
Under international aviation rules, fifth-freedom routes allow airlines to carry passengers between two foreign countries as part of a longer international flight. AirAsia previously introduced a similar service linking Taipei and Fukuoka via Kota Kinabalu, which the airline said achieved strong passenger loads.
AirAsia Malaysia General Manager Fareh Mazputra said demand for travel between Taiwan and Japan remains strong, making Kaohsiung a suitable addition to the airline’s North Asia network. The carrier positions Kuala Lumpur as a key hub connecting Southeast Asia with destinations further north.
To mark the launch, AirAsia is offering limited promotional fares for the new route, with bookings open through mid-February for travel between June and October.
The addition of the Kaohsiung–Osaka service is expected to support tourism and business travel between southern Taiwan and Japan, while expanding Kaohsiung’s international air connectivity.
