By KHT Staff
KAOHSIUNG — A newly delivered Airbus A321neo assigned to China Airlines’ southern operations made its Kaohsiung debut Sunday, signaling further expansion of the airline group’s international services from the city.
Mandarin Airlines (華信航空) operated the aircraft on a special domestic flight from Kaohsiung International Airport (高雄國際機場) to Penghu on Sept. 13. Flight AE335 left Kaohsiung at 10:35 a.m. and arrived at Penghu Airport 45 minutes later.
Water-cannon salutes were held at both airports to mark the introduction of the aircraft, registered as B-18135, to southern Taiwan. China Airlines President Chen Han-ming (陳漢銘), Mandarin Airlines Chair Chen Ta-chun (陳大鈞) and General Manager Chuang Ming-che (莊明哲) joined passengers on the flight.
The Penghu trip served as an introductory flight rather than a permanent change to the route. Mandarin Airlines normally operates domestic and outlying-island services with its fleet of 13 ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft.
Following the domestic flight, the new A321neo was scheduled to enter China Airlines (中華航空) international service from Kaohsiung, beginning with the Kaohsiung–Okinawa route on Sept. 15 and the Kaohsiung–Takamatsu route on Sept. 17.
The aircraft has 235 seats, including eight premium-economy and 227 economy seats. Premium economy uses a 2-2 layout, while economy is arranged 3-3.
Mandarin Airlines said it plans to introduce two A321neos beginning in the second half of 2027. The jets will be used to develop regional international routes from Kaohsiung, adding capacity for passengers in southern Taiwan.
The move forms part of the China Airlines Group’s wider effort to add aircraft, capacity and destinations at Kaohsiung International Airport. The company has not yet announced which additional regional routes Mandarin Airlines will operate when its two aircraft arrive.
