EVA Airways and Starlux Airlines said in notices issued Monday that surcharges implemented on April 7 for flights departing from Taiwan will remain in effect.

China Airlines (CAL), Taiwan’s largest carrier, also said it would keep surcharge levels unchanged in May in accordance with the Civil Aviation Administration’s (CAA) pricing mechanism, though it said it would continue to monitor global crude oil price trends.

Under the current scheme, passengers departing from Taiwan on short-haul routes, including flights to Hong Kong, will continue to pay a fuel surcharge of US$45 per flight segment, while travelers on long-haul routes will pay US$117 per segment.

The decision to freeze the surcharges came despite what the airlines say is a significant gap between market fuel prices and the industry’s baseline.

Data from state-run refiner CPC Corp., Taiwan showed that average aviation fuel prices reached US$208.78 per barrel in May, far exceeding the US$40 benchmark on which fuel surcharges are based.

As a result, carriers said they are absorbing a substantial portion of the higher fuel costs.

EVA Air estimated its additional fuel cost per passenger at US$797.82 on long-haul routes and US$133.50 on short-haul routes.

After deducting the approved surcharges, the airline said it would absorb about 85 percent of the additional fuel cost on long-haul services and 66 percent on short-haul flights, up slightly from 65 percent for short-haul routes in April.

Starlux Airlines estimated its additional fuel cost per passenger at US$271.14 on long-haul routes and US$61.58 on short-haul routes.

After deducting the surcharges, the carrier said it would absorb about 66 percent and 43 percent of the added fuel costs, respectively, both slightly higher than the 64 percent and 42 percent recorded in April.

The current surcharge levels were initially set following a CAA announcement on April 1, which saw rates jump from US$27.50 to US$45 for short-haul flights and from US$71.50 to US$117 for long-haul flights, effective April 7.

Credits: Taiwan Major Airlines

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The aircraft arrived at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) on March 18 local time. This followed a nonstop delivery flight (SJX2351) from Toulouse, France, following formal handover on March 17.

Arrival of Second Airbus A350-1000

Painted in the distinctive “1000” livery with carbon-fibre accents, it features upgraded electro-dimmable windows that darken twice as fast as previous models. The twin-engine widebody boasts a 15,600 km range and a luxurious four-class configuration:

• 4 First Class seats,
• 40 Business Class,
• 36 Premium Economy, and
• 270 Economy

This totals 350 seats optimized for high-yield premium demand.

This delivery comes just over two months after the first A350-1000 (B-58551, MSN 761) joined the fleet on January 6, 2026. It makes STARLUX the 11th global operator of the type and the first in Taiwan.

Both aircraft complement the airline’s existing 10 A350-900s, which already serve flagship routes to North America and key Asia-Pacific destinations.

Deliveries Through 2026

2026 is shaping up to be STARLUX’s busiest delivery year yet. The airline expects 14 new aircraft:

• three A321neos,
• five A330-900neos, and
• six A350-1000s

This will grow its all-Airbus fleet from roughly 29 to 43 aircraft by year-end. STARLUX holds firm orders for 18 A350-1000s overall, with additional A350F freighters slated for 2028 to bolster cargo operations.

Founder and Chairman Chang Kuo-wei’s vision of a modern, passenger-centric fleet is materializing swiftly.

Aggressive Network Growth

The new flagship directly supports STARLUX’s aggressive network growth. From its Taipei hub, the carrier currently serves over 33 international destinations across 13 countries, with a strong focus on Japan – Tokyo NRT, Osaka KIX, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Nagoya, and more secondary cities.

It includes Southeast Asia (Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Bangkok, Singapore, Jakarta, Manila), Hong Kong, and Macau.

The U.S. West Coast sees Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Ontario, and newly added Phoenix.

The A350-1000’s superior range and capacity are enabling leaps eastward. It entered service on Taipei–Tokyo routes in February and will soon rotate onto North American services.

Plans include new U.S. East Coast connections (New York JFK, Chicago ORD, and potentially Washington or Texas hubs) and the carrier’s European debut: nonstop Taipei–Prague starting August 1, 2026, with additional European cities to follow in the second half of the year.

Premium Demand Remains Strong

Strong premium demand underscores the strategy. First Class sells robustly on Los Angeles and Tokyo routes, while the expanded Business Class – 40 seats vs. 26 on A350-900s – positions STARLUX competitively against legacy carriers.

CEO Glenn Chai has emphasized that these aircraft will “shape our long-haul future,” delivering the “Cozy Like Home” cabin experience designed by BMW Designworks.

With deliveries accelerating and routes diversifying, STARLUX Airlines is transforming from a regional upstart into a formidable global contender. The airline was originally founded in 2020 with Macau as its inaugural flight,

The arrival of B-58552 in Taipei not only adds immediate capacity but signals a new chapter of ultra-long-haul connectivity, premium luxury, and cargo ambition for Taiwan’s skies.

By the end of the decade, the airline’s growing A350 family will link Taipei to more corners of the world than ever before.

Credits: Starlux Airlines

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