Starlux Airlines today confirmed it is planning to launch direct flights to Phoenix in February next year.
Starlux's confirmation came after Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said in a statement posted on the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport's Web site yesterday that the airline would begin nonstop flights between the US airport and Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport early next year, pending final government approval.
Photo courtesy of Starlux Airlines
According to the statement, Starlux is to fly to Phoenix three to four times a week.
Gallego said the flights would be the first nonstop air services between Asia and Phoenix.
It comes following a commitment by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) to invest US$165 billion in chip production in Arizona.
"Phoenix's first nonstop flight to Asia reflects the incredible strides we've made with our local economy, and our emergence as an international city," Gallego said in the statement.
"TSMC's historic investment in Phoenix has brought thousands of high-wage jobs and boosted our reputation as a semiconductor hub, and now it's helping increase air service demand," she added.
The statement cited the airport's most recent economic impact report as saying Phoenix international flights add more than US$3 billion to the local economy each year, and the Starlux service alone could have an economic impact of more than US$100 million a year.
Also in the statement, Starlux chairman Chang Kuo-Wei (張國煒) said that from the moment when he set foot in Phoenix, he knew the carrier should make an investment there.
"Not only is the growth of business between Taipei and Phoenix staggering, it's a perfect match for our level of service. We are proud and honored to be the first carrier to provide nonstop Asia service for the Phoenix community," Chang said.
Starlux said services to Phoenix would initially begin using A350-900 aircraft equipped with 306 seats, and tickets would be available once it secures government approval.
The carrier said it is upbeat about the potential for Phoenix as a destination, because of its rise as a hub for industrial innovation and a technology ecosystem that has attracted tech giants such as TSMC.
TSMC already has one fab in the Phoenix area that has begun mass-producing chips, a second fab for which construction is nearly complete and a third fab that held its groundbreaking ceremony last month.
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