TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Starlux Airlines routes to Japan have achieved an average passenger load of 90% through October, according to Walter Liang (梁文龍), chief passenger commercial officer of Starlux's Passenger Sales and Marketing Division, on Tuesday (Nov. 12).
Liang said the success of Japan routes will lead the airline to expand flights to Kobe in the summer of 2025. Other route expansions will include the US and Europe in the first quarter of 2026, per CNA.
Liang said Starlux launched during the COVID pandemic in 2020. Despite this challenge, it still managed to complete the first phase of development, which included developing routes, fleet, and infrastructure. Starlux’s debut on the Taiwan Stock Exchange on Oct. 25. was also a major milestone.
Talking to the press, Liang was optimistic about the airline industry, especially for customer-oriented airlines. Liang said airlines must pay attention to flight frequency and frequent flyer benefits.
Liang said Starlux's fleet will reach 26 aircraft by the end of this year, 33 aircraft in 2025, 47 aircraft in 2026, and 53 in 2029.
"Joining an alliance is one strategy, but not being in an alliance is not necessarily a bad thing. We should be prepared for both situations." He said cooperation between Starlux and Alaska Airlines was an important milestone as both aviation networks are complementary and cooperation would expand.
Liang said that in the first ten months of 2024, Japanese routes accounted for half of passenger revenue, with more than 1.5 million passengers traveling to locations such as Okinawa, Hokkaido, Nagoya, and other areas. Average passenger load rates were over 90% on Japanese routes.
Next year, Starlux Airline will add flights to Okinawa and Kobe and evaluate new destinations in second and third-tier Japanese cities.
However, expansion is being hampered by a shortage of ground-handling manpower at Japanese airports. Liang said route expansion into new Japanese cities will occur when all details are addressed.
In terms of long-haul route planning, Starlux’s order for 18 A350 wide-body passenger aircraft is expected to be delivered in 2027. Over 80% of the A350’s capacity will be used on long-haul routes.
Liang said Starlux currently services three destinations on the US West Coast. The airline plans to gradually expand such operations, such as increasing the frequency of Los Angeles flights to 10 per week by Dec. 22, and daily Seattle flights on March 1.
New destinations such as New York, Houston, Boston, Dallas, and Washington, D.C., are currently being evaluated, with at least one such destination to launch next year.
Starlux also plans to enter Europe, evaluating destinations such as Madrid, Barcelona, and Helsinki. The airline hopes to establish its first European destination in the first quarter of 2026.
As for Southeast Asia, Starlux said it is evaluating the potential of adding Bali as a destination, while flights to Hanoi and Chiang Mai will be increased.
