Taipei: EVA Airways (EVA Air), a major Taiwanese international airline, is set to inaugurate direct flights to Dallas on October 3, marking its ninth North American destination with direct service from Taiwan. This strategic expansion strengthens the airline's presence in Texas, where it will be the only Taiwanese carrier to operate flights to two cities.
According to Focus Taiwan, EVA Air announced that the new service will include three round-trip flights per week to Dallas. The airline, which has been conducting cargo operations to Dallas since 1998, is now extending its passenger services to the city. Dallas is recognized as the fourth largest metropolitan area in the United States and hosts over 20 Fortune Global 500 companies, making it an attractive location for Taiwanese investments.
EVA Air President Clay Sun emphasized the significance of Dallas as a major business hub in the U.S. with a thriving economy and increasing population. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, noted for handling the third largest passenger volume in the U.S., is a key consideration for EVA Air as it aims to cater to both travelers and tourists transiting through Dallas to other U.S. cities or Latin American destinations.
The airline plans to operate the new route using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The flight, designated as BR50, will depart from Taoyuan International Airport at 7:10 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, arriving in Dallas at 7:40 p.m. The return flight, BR49, will leave Dallas at 10:50 p.m., reaching Taipei at 4:05 a.m. two days later, facilitating connections to EVA Air's extensive Asian network.
With this new Dallas service, EVA Air increases its North American destinations to nine, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York, Houston, Chicago, Vancouver, and Toronto. This addition comes as the airline experiences a surge in outbound travel following the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2024, EVA Air reported a record net profit of NT$30.4 billion, a 31.6 percent increase from the previous year, with earnings per share rising to NT$5.37 from NT$4.01. The airline transported 13.16 million passengers in 2024, up 16.8 percent year-over-year, achieving a load factor of 82.6 percent. The first quarter of this year saw the airline achieve its highest-ever sales of NT$54.94 billion, marking a 2.85 percent increase from the prior year.