China Airlines said it will stop over in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, on the Taipei-Vienna route three times a week starting April 25.

'The stopovers in Abu Dhabi are responding to demand amid an increase of tourists to the Middle East,' said an official with the carrier.

China Airlines had previously stopped over in Abu Dhabi on the Taipei-Rome route between 1995 and 2004 but had cancelled the service due to business considerations, the official said.

Meanwhile, the carrier will add two flights to Seattle every week from April 26 to bring the total number of weekly flights on the route to five, he said.

The airline currently serves 60 destinations in 23 countries.