The direct flight route between Qingdao in Shandong province and Taichung, Taiwan, resumed operations after seven years on July 23.

The route is operated by Shandong Airlines with one weekly flight running every Thursday.

The market response has been enthusiastic, with the maiden flight selling out quickly and the load factor from Taichung to Qingdao approaching 100 percent.

"This is my first time flying direct from Taichung to Qingdao. As soon as I landed, I was already holding a Tsingtao beer," said a passenger from Taichung, expressing his pleasant surprise upon stepping off the plane.

To welcome the first arriving passengers, Qingdao airport held a special launch event, offering travelers gifts including Tsingtao beer, Laoshan Cola, and tickets to the Qingdao TV Tower. This allowed visitors from Taiwan to experience the festive atmosphere of the Qingdao International Beer Festival and the city's warm hospitality right after their arrival.

"I plan to take my family to the seaside, visit Laoshan Mountain, and explore the Tsingtao Beer Museum," said another passenger on the maiden flight. She said she brought her family to Qingdao to enjoy the sea breeze, taste draft beer, and immerse themselves in the vibrant energy of the city's beer festival from July 20 to 29.

Qingdao resumed direct flights to Taipei in 2023. As of July 16, the Qingdao-Taipei route has operated 1,282 flights over the past three years, carrying 188,000 passengers with an average load factor of 82.9 percent.

Qingdao airport now operates a dual-hub structure with services to both Taipei and Taichung, with a total of 10 weekly flights. This will further facilitate cross-Strait travel for family visits, tourism, and business exchanges, while also promoting deeper cultural, trade, and people-to-people ties between the two sides.

Passengers board the maiden Shandong Airlines flight from Qingdao to Taichung on July 23, marking the resumption of direct air service between the two cities after a seven-year hiatus. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]