EVA Airways aiming to fly over China en route to Europe

Taiwan’s leading carrier EVA Airways recently expressed hope that it will be able to fly over Chinese airspace en route Europe.

The airline is desperate to seek approval from Chinese authorities to allow EVA Airways flights to fly over Chinese airspace enabling it to save time and fuel costs en route to Europe.

The airline also wants Taiwan to become a major transit hub for Chinese tourists.

EVA Airways President Chang Kuo-wei is currently holding negotiations with mainland China authorities to allow it to use the Chinese airspace. A breakthrough is also being expected by the end of this year. 

Taiwan’s second-largest carrier allows its passengers to buy EVA Airways tickets to a number of major European cities, including Paris, London, Amsterdam, Vienna, Frankfurt and Brussels, where it currently operates its flights.

EVA Airways in a statement said that if allowed to fly over Chinese airspace, the airline will be able to save half an hour of flight time on European routes, which would help it save $3.4 million every year.