tigerair Taiwan Extends New Kaohsiung–Sapporo Flights Until October 2025

Industry insiders noted that tigerair Taiwan had made a strategic decision to extend its Kaohsiung–Sapporo New Chitose service until late October 2025. The airline, which initially launched this route in late January 2025 with three weekly flights, temporarily reduced operations to twice a week from March 1 to March 29, 2025. However, from March 30 to October 25, 2025, the route would operate at a steady frequency of three flights per week using an Airbus A320 aircraft.

The decision to extend this route beyond the summer season signaled tigerair Taiwan’s commitment to maintaining strong regional air connectivity. Given that Sapporo remains one of the most sought-after destinations for Taiwanese tourists—especially during seasonal peaks in cherry blossom and autumn foliage—the airline’s move underscored its confidence in sustained passenger demand.

Impact on Travelers and Tourism

For travelers, this extension meant greater convenience, flexibility, and affordability in planning trips between Taiwan’s southern hub and Hokkaido’s capital. The announcement came at a time when demand for leisure and business travel between Taiwan and Japan had been steadily increasing. The effects on the travel industry could be observed in several key areas:

Seasonal Travel Boost: With the extended schedule, travelers would now have more opportunities to experience both Sapporo’s summer festivals and autumn scenery.
Economic Benefits: Increased flight frequency was expected to benefit Taiwan’s outbound tourism market, Japan’s inbound tourism sector, and businesses dependent on cross-border travel.
Aviation Competition: The move positioned tigerair Taiwan competitively against other low-cost and full-service carriers serving Japan from Taiwan.

Supporting Japan’s Tourism Recovery

As Japan continued its post-pandemic tourism recovery, the extension of this air route had far-reaching implications. Hokkaido, a major attraction for international tourists, had been eager to welcome more visitors, particularly from Taiwan, which consistently ranked among its top inbound markets. By maintaining direct connectivity to Kaohsiung, tigerair Taiwan helped facilitate an influx of travelers who contributed to Sapporo’s hospitality, retail, and tourism industries.

Local tourism authorities in Hokkaido were expected to leverage this extended connectivity to promote regional experiences, including:

Sapporo’s Renowned Snow Festival (February) – A major winter attraction drawing global visitors.
Summer Escapes (June–August) – An alternative to Taiwan’s humid summers, offering cool retreats.
Autumn Leaf-Viewing (September–October) – A highlight for photography and nature lovers.

By ensuring the Kaohsiung–Sapporo route remained active until late October, the airline played a crucial role in sustaining year-round tourism flows.

Strategic Airline Positioning in Northeast Asia

Industry observers pointed out that tigerair Taiwan’s continued investment in the Taiwan–Japan market aligned with broader trends in regional aviation. The airline’s decision reflected:

Rising Taiwanese Interest in Japan: Taiwan had consistently been one of Japan’s top inbound markets, and carriers were eager to capitalize on this trend.
Shifts in Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) Strategy: Budget airlines had been expanding their footprints by launching or extending direct routes between secondary cities.
Post-Pandemic Air Travel Rebound: With international travel surging back to pre-pandemic levels, sustaining direct routes became a strategic necessity.

By maintaining a consistent schedule on the Kaohsiung–Sapporo route, tigerair Taiwan secured a stable foothold in the competitive Northeast Asian market.

Flight Schedule for 2025

Passengers booking flights on this route would have the following schedule options from March 30 to October 25, 2025:

Outbound Flights (Kaohsiung – Sapporo New Chitose):

IT260: Departs KHH at 07:00, arrives CTS at 12:05 (operates on Wednesdays)
IT260: Departs KHH at 07:45, arrives CTS at 12:55 (operates on Fridays and Sundays)

Inbound Flights (Sapporo New Chitose – Kaohsiung):

IT261: Departs CTS at 12:55, arrives KHH at 16:30 (operates on Wednesdays)
IT261: Departs CTS at 13:55, arrives KHH at 17:15 (operates on Fridays and Sundays)

This schedule allowed travelers to plan efficient round trips, especially those looking for extended weekend getaways.

Global Travel Implications

The implications of this extended service extended beyond Taiwan and Japan. As a well-connected low-cost carrier, tigerair Taiwan’s presence in the Taiwan–Japan corridor had indirect effects on:

Transit Passengers: Those traveling from Southeast Asia via Kaohsiung could benefit from easier one-stop access to Hokkaido.
Airfare Competitiveness: The sustained operation of this route added pricing pressure to full-service carriers operating between Taiwan and Japan.
Regional Growth in LCC Networks: The expansion reflected a broader shift in how budget airlines were shaping regional travel flows in Asia.

Looking Ahead

Industry analysts suggested that tigerair Taiwan’s success with this route extension could pave the way for further expansion in Northeast Asia. If demand remained high, the airline might consider increasing frequency or introducing additional routes from Taiwan’s secondary cities to other destinations in Japan.

For now, the extension of Kaohsiung–Sapporo flights until October 2025 ensured that travelers, tourism stakeholders, and businesses continued to benefit from enhanced connectivity between Taiwan and Hokkaido.

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