Taiwan-based carrier StarLux has announced new flights will begin to Bangkok, Osaka and Tokyo from December.
It is launching two weekly flights from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport from 1 December, and two flights a week to both Osaka and Tokyo from mid-December.
It is a change of direction for the airline which said it would concentrate on underserved second tier cities.
"It is necessary to change our business strategy amid the pandemic," StarLux General Manager Glenn Chai said.
Its current international route network consists of Macau; Penang, Malaysia; and Da Nang, Vietnam.
StarLux expects most revenues to come from cargo business in the short term.
"We do not think regular tourists would feel very interested due to the ongoing border controls, but on the other hand, as air cargo demand for the three new cities is strong, we could gain fresh air cargo revenue, which should be able to help us break even," the airline said.
The airline just received its fourth narrow-body Airbus A321neo jet and the fifth is expected before the year-end.
It plans to take delivery of another eight A321neo planes next year.
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor
