China Airlines (CAL) and its subsidiary, Mandarin Airlines (MDA), are working together to offer direct daily charters to mainland China, launching new flights to Hangzhou and Shenzhen on December 15, 2008.

Up to date, China Airlines flies to six cities on the mainland China, including the other four cities, Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Nanjing.

To provide greater convenience for passengers traveling between Taiwan and mainland China, CAL continues to expand its network and increase flight frequencies.

Beginning on December 15, CAL and MDA will have daily flights from Taoyuan to Shanghai; 3 flights each week from Taoyuan to Beijing; 2 flights each week from Taoyuan to Guangzhou; 2 flights each week from Taoyuan to Nanjing; 1 flight each week from Kaohsiung to Shanghai; 4 flights each week from Taoyuan to Shenzhen; 2 flights each week from Taoyuan to Hangzhou and 1 flight each week from Taichung to Hangzhou.

CAL and MDA operate Airbus 330-300, Boeing 747-400 and Embraer E190 aircraft on the charters, providing cross-strait passengers and their families a comfortable and pleasant journey.

The initial flight to Hangzhou, CI7989, will depart from Taoyuan Airport at 8:30am and arrive in Hangzhou at 10:10am, and the return trip, flight CI7990, will depart from Hangzhou at 11:10am and arrive in Taoyuan at 1:00pm on December 15.

The initial flight to Shenzhen, CI7987, will depart from Taoyuan Airport at 1:20pm and arrive in Shenzhen at 3:15pm, and the return trip, flight CI7988, will depart from Shenzhen at 4:15pm and arrive in Taoyuan at 6:05pm on December 15.

The charter flights are now available to all passengers who wish to make reservations. Passengers from Taiwan can reserve their flights by calling the China Airlines and Mandarin Airlines Call Center directly at 02-27151212 and 02-27171230.

Photograph: On July 4, 2008, China Airlines operated its first Taoyuan-Shanghai cross-strait weekend charter flight. Photo by CARNOC.com message board member - BlueSky.