On October 8, HK Express announced exciting news: the airline will resume its direct charter flights from Hong Kong to Hualien on December 12, 2023, after a six-year break.

According to reports from various Taiwanese media outlets, including the Central News Agency, United Daily News, and China Times, these direct flights were initially introduced in 2016 and enjoyed a remarkable average passenger load of 95%. Unfortunately, following a devastating earthquake in Hualien in 2018 that significantly impacted tourism, the flights were suspended on October 27 of that year.

On the evening of October 7, HK Express’s General Manager of Ground Services, Huang Baishen, and his team made a trip to Hualien to meet with County Magistrate Hsu Chen-wei to discuss the reinstated charter service. Starting December 12, the airline plans to operate four weekly flights—on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays—each capable of accommodating up to 180 passengers.

Magistrate Hsu noted that talks regarding the charter service’s feasibility began in July, with video conferences facilitating discussions between both parties. He also invited HK Express representatives to visit Hualien, emphasizing the area’s rich tourism resources and development potential.

Huang highlighted that today’s young travelers are looking for unique experiences, something that Hualien can offer. He urged the Hualien County government to enhance its marketing efforts in Hong Kong to attract more visitors.

Former Hualien County Magistrate Fu Kuan-chi expressed optimism about the reopening of these direct flights. He emphasized that this initiative would not only boost tourism in Hualien but also make travel more convenient for Taiwanese residents heading to Hong Kong, mainland China, and beyond to Europe and Southeast Asia.