China Airlines executives were also on the first flight from Taipei.
The first flight was fully-booked and it left a few hours after to return to Taipei carrying only nine passengers.The new charter flight will operate four times a week and is using a 130-seat Boeing 737-800 for the service for three months and will be upgraded on the regular flights after August.Taiwan is the top source of tourism for Palau, providing over 20,000 visitors a year.Those who were aboard the first flight were greeted with an official airport welcome and a dinner reception, Sunday night.Alex N.H. Liu , Senior Vice President of China Airlines said they are planning scheduled flights.Liu said the airlines also have several flights in other nations that in the future Palau can use Taiwan as an international hub.Liu also thanked President Remengesau for the warm welcome of the airline to Palau.“ This is not possible without the fast action of Palau,” Liu said.Taiwan Ambassador Matthew Lee said China Airlines made the venture only two weeks after Far Eastern Air Transport pulled out its services from Palau.“This is yet another miracle,” Lee said.
