TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Starlux Airlines will launch flights to Prague, Czech Republic, as its first European destination, Chief Strategy Officer Simon Liu (劉允富) said recently.
“Located in the heart of Europe, Prague Airport offers excellent connectivity and convenient transport links to Germany, Austria, and Poland,” Liu told CNA. He added that “the Czech Republic is one of the few potential markets in Europe not restricted by traffic rights.”
Liu said tourism in central Europe has become popular among Taiwanese travelers in recent years, with many stopping in Prague. Starlux also views the Czech Republic as a future economic and trade transit hub between Taiwan and Europe, he said, according to CNA.
Liu said the emerging semiconductor production cluster in the Czech Republic is another reason for the Prague route.
Initially, the Prague route will focus on the tourism market, particularly high-end travel. It is expected to account for 50% of traffic, Liu said, per CNA.
He said that because the Czech Republic provides easy land access to Germany, Austria, and Poland, the airline expects both tour groups and independent travelers to use Prague as their main entry and exit point for central Europe.
Cargo represents another significant market, Liu said. TSMC’s establishment of a chip design center in Munich and a 12-inch wafer fab in Dresden, coupled with the semiconductor cluster in southeastern Czech Republic, is expected to drive substantial cargo demand, he said.
Prague’s inland cargo network is very mature, Liu noted.
The plan to expand into Europe comes as the airline is growing its fleet. The airline plans to have 48 aircraft by 2027.
