Taiwan’s Starlux Airlines (JX) is planning flights to Auckland in 2027 as part of its long-haul expansion.
The premium carrier’s chairman Chang Kuowei is quoted in Taipei media as saying New Zealand and Australia are targets for expansion next year.
The Taipei-based airline currently operates Airbus A350s and A330s on long-haul routes—and the mooted AKL flight will be operated via Sydney.
On social media JX says it is entering a new phase of rapid growth with its fleet expected to reach 43 aircraft this year. It names Barcelona, Zurich, Sydney and Auckland as its planned new routes for 2027. The ‘exciting new chapter’ would see it expand into Oceania ‘with Sydney as a key gateway connecting onward to Auckland’.
. . . From SYD & AKL
Sydney Airport says in a statement that the JX Taipei-Sydney-Auckland flight schedules are currently being finalised, with further details on the new services to be announced shortly.
The airline is also advertising for customer service and passenger sales roles in Australia to build its presence ‘from the ground up’.
This side of the Tasman, Auckland Airport has welcomed the JX reports. While any decision on future services rests with the airline, it’s encouraging to see AKL included in discussions around JX’s future plans, says AKL chief customer officer Scott Tasker. “Greater air links help support tourism, trade, business links and travel choices for New Zealanders, while strengthening Auckland’s position as a gate way city.”
. . . The Network
According to Flightradar24, earlier this year JX operated around 240 weekly flights from Taipei, comprising 14 to Hong Kong, five to Indonesia, 90 to Japan, 14 to Macao, five to Malaysia, 23 to the Philippines, seven to Singapore, 19 to Thailand, 28 to the US, and 33 to Vietnam. JX is also about to fly into Prague and has other European destinations in its sights.
Air New Zealand operates a thrice weekly non-stop service between AKL and TPE at this time of year and Taiwanese carrier China Airlines flies up to five times a week via Brisbane.
