The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) announced yesterday that it had finished amending its aviation pact with Italy, with both sides agreeing to increase the number of passenger and cargo flights.
China Airlines Ltd (CAL, 中華航空) is the nation’s only airline that operates flights between Taipei and Rome and offers three passenger flights and two cargo flights every week.
Under the current agreement, the contract has to be renewed every three months.
The deal between Taiwan and Italy was first signed in 1995.
Under the new pact, there will be seven passenger flights and four cargo flights per week.
Aside from Taipei and Rome, both have agreed to add Kaohsiung and Milan to the routes, the CAA said.
In addition, the pact allows airlines from both sides to fly transit flights following the principle of mutual benefit, as well as sign agreements regarding passenger seat reservations, sharing aircraft numbers or leasing aircraft, the CAA said.
Both CAL and EVA Airways Corp (長榮航空) said that they would submit plans on how to operate and manage the routes.
Asked about the possible transit points for flights, the CAA said the airlines from both sides could choose anywhere in Europe, North America or Southeast Asia.
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