V Air Cancels Routes from Bangkok and Chiang Mai to Taipei

[fountainhall]

I have lauded this small airline in a previous post. Sadly, after only two years and even with load factors of around 80% the airline will discontinue the routes from Bangkok and Chiang Mai to Taipei as of the end of September. So the only budget carrier thereafter will be Tiger Air Taiwan whose BKK/TPE flight leaves quite late. V Air said the competition is too tough on the route. China Airlines has certainly reduced its fares to around Bt. 9,500 return but I expect this will probably rise soon.

And whilst on the subject of Taipei, a reminder that the Gay Pride Parade is on Saturday 29 October with parties starting the previous evenings. 80,000 turned up last year. Expect more this time around.

[fountainhall]

Not only has V Air given up the Bangkok/Taipei route, now there is news in the Taipei papers that China Airlines might take over the only other budget carrier on the route, Tiger Air Taiwan. Tiger has been averaging only 70% capacity on its 18 routes. China Airlines is now in talks with its joint venture partner in Tiger, Singapore Airlines. Meanwhile, some routes will be cancelled, although no further detail has been given.

That leaves the cheapest ticket between the two cities on Hong Kong Airlines at around Bt. 8,500 return which will also allow you a stopover in Hong Kong if you wish. However, two of their flights to HKG depart in the middle of the night - so you have to book months ahead for the cheap fare with daytime departures. The alternative is China Airlines with near midday departures for Bt. 9,910. But again, if you don't book months ahead, the price rises significantly. And if China takes over Tiger, the chances are the basic return fare will go up.

Hopefully one of the Thai based budget airlines will start up a Taipei service sooner rather than later.