August 27, 2004, Taipei, Taiwan ¡V In response to the increasing demand for Taiwanese passengers to Australia and to provide better flight schedules, China Airlines recently announced to increase flight frequency to Sydney and Brisbane. Starting from October 16, the Taipei-Sydney route will be increased from 4 to 5 flights per week and the Taipei-Brisbane route from 2 to 3 flights per week. In the future, China Airlines will provide 8 weekly flights to Australia and become the largest air carrier serving between Taiwan and Australia.

After the frequency increase, the Taipei-Sydney service will depart Taipei at 22:20 every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday and arrive in Sydney at 9:30 the next day. The return flights will leave Sydney at 11:40 every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and arrive in Taipei at 19:10 the same day. The Taipei-Brisbane service will depart Taipei at 21:50 every Monday, Thursday and Saturday and arrive in Brisbane at 8:25 the next day. The return flights will leave Brisbane at 10:25 every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday and arrive in Taipei at 17:10 the same day. China Airlines will use A340-300 aircraft for all the Australia-bound flights with comfortable cabin features and personalized entertainment system.

According to Taiwan Tourism statistics, there were around 42,000 Taiwanese traveled to Australia in the first half of 2004, a 27% increase over 2003. The travel purpose was mainly tourism, study and business.

China Airlines currently operate a modern fleet of 63 aircraft with an average age lower than 6 years and flies to 47 destinations in 21 nations. Its fleet is one of the youngest in the world.