Taipei, May 2 (CNA) Taiwan-based StarLux Airlines Co. said Sunday it is considering pushing back the start date for its flights to the the United States, from 2022 to 2023, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
StarLux founder receives French Knight of Legion of Honor Medal
01/26/2021 10:03 PM
StarLux Airlines Chairman and founder Chang Kuo-wei. Photo courtesy of StarLux Airlines
Taipei, Jan. 26 (CNA) Taiwan-based StarLux Airlines Chairman and founder Chang Kuo-wei (張國煒) was bestowed Monday with the Knight rank of France s National Order of the Legion of Honor for his contributions to the country, the air company said Tuesday.
French Office in Taipei Director Jean-Francois Casabonne-Masonnave, France s representative in Taiwan, conferred the decoration on Chang on behalf of French President Emmanuel Macron during a ceremony at his official residence, the company said.
Casabonne-Masonnave praised Chang as not only an outstanding and enthusiastic entrepreneur but also a driving force and friend of France s Aerospace Industry in the Asia-Pacific region, according to the carrier.
Los Angeles has been earmarked by Starlux Airlines as the Taiwanese carrier s first US destination as it builds on plans to grow its international network.
The airline, which began commercial operations earlier this year, has applied to the US Transportation Department (DOT) to provide daily year-round service between Taiwan Taoyuan (TPE) and Los Angeles (LAX) starting in 2021.
Flights would be on-board Airbus A350-900 aircraft with 306 seats. The carrier forecasts that by the end of 2023 it could be providing around 4,300 weekly seats on the route, achieving a load factor of about 75%.
Los Angeles is one of 15 US destinations that Starlux has identified for possible service as it seeks to expand its international footprint.