StarLux plans to start flights to North America next April

Taiwan’s StarLux Airlines said Monday it is planning to launch services to the North American market in April next year as part of its expansion efforts.

The entry into the American market will start with flights to the United States west coast and will gradually expand to other destinations, StarLux spokesman Nieh Kuo-wei (???) told reporters after a shareholders meeting in Taipei.

The airline also plans to offer flights to destinations in Europe, Nieh said, adding that StarLux will take delivery of eight new planes by the end of the year.

With the delivery of the four Airbus A321neos, two A330neos and two A350-900 aircraft, the Taipei-based carrier will increase its fleet to 19, he said.

After that delivery, Starlix is scheduled to receive another six planes in 2023, Nieh said, noting that the fleet currently comprises nine A321neo and two A330neo aircraft.

The long-range, wide-body A350-900s, which are on order, will have to be certified by Taiwan after delivery, and that procedure could take until early next year, he said.

StarLux, Taiwan’s newest international carrier, on Aug. 26 reported a loss per share of NT$2.03 for the first half of the 2022, compared with NT$1.24 a year earlier.

Since its establishment in May 2018, StarLux has posted cumulative losses of NT$9.598 billion, according to its data as of the end of June.

Nieh said StarLux should begin to see profits after five years, but right now its operating costs are increasing as it continues to expand its fleet.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel