Taipei: China Airlines (CAL) and Tigerair Taiwan have reported unprecedented sales figures for 2025, driven by a surge in global tourism as the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Focus Taiwan, CAL announced it reached NT$209.09 billion (US$594 million) in consolidated sales for 2025, marking a 2.56 percent increase from the previous year. This growth was supported by a 1.82 percent year-on-year rise in December sales, amounting to NT$18.79 billion. The airline's passenger flight revenue for December increased by 0.82 percent to NT$10.81 billion, with high load factors nearing 90 percent on routes to Seoul, Tokyo, Hokkaido, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur. Additionally, CAL's cargo services experienced a 2.42 percent revenue increase to NT$6.398 billion, fueled by holiday shopping in the US and Europe and a high demand for AI-related products.

Tigerair Taiwan also reported impressive results, with NT$16.899 billion in consolidated sales for 2025, representing a 2.90 percent rise from 2024. The airline attributed its success to an expanded flight schedule, with a 13.9 percent increase in flights during December, and an average load factor of nearly 90 percent in the fourth quarter.

Starlux Airlines, Taiwan's latest international airline, saw its 2025 consolidated sales rise by 24 percent to US$44.05 billion. The airline's passenger flight revenue climbed by 9 percent in December to NT$3.29 billion, setting a new record in passenger numbers. Cargo revenue also surged by 37 percent to NT$499 million, driven by increased shipments of electronic components and AI-related goods.

In contrast, EVA Airways reported its second highest annual sales in 2025 at NT$220.33 billion, a slight decrease of 0.31 percent from the previous year. Despite this, the airline achieved over 90 percent load factors on routes across North America, Europe, Southeast and Northeast Asia, and China in December. EVA's cargo services also benefited from robust demand during the Christmas period.

Source: Focus Taiwan