Dragonair today announced that it will launch charter services to Taichung in Taiwan starting from October 28. The airline will use an Airbus A320 aircraft for the flights.

"We are delighted to offer charter services to Taichung," said Chief Executive Officer Kenny Tang. "Taiwan is an important market for Dragonair - we have been serving Kaohsiung since 1996 and Taipei since 2002 - and we are pleased to be able to provide passengers with more choice and greater convenience for travel to and from the island."

The charter services, which the airline aims to operate on a daily basis, will be underwritten by Cathay Holidays Ltd and are subject to government approval. Passengers can find information on Dragonair's Taichung charters and get flight reservation details through their local travel agent.

Situated in central Taiwan, Taichung is the gateway to areas of natural beauty including the Puli and Nantou counties where tourists can enjoy a variety of recreational activities such as hiking, windsurfing and hot springs. The city itself is home to a number of attractions including the Taichung Tower and the Municipal Cultural Centre.

Dragonair, which will become an affiliate member of oneworld on November 1, is a Hong Kong-based airline operating a fleet of 31 passenger aircraft and seven freighters serving 31 regional destinations, including 21 cities in Mainland China. The airline has topped the "Best Airline - China" category in the respected Skytrax passenger survey for the past six years, highlighting its Mainland China expertise. Dragonair is part of the Cathay Pacific Group, providing seamless connectivity for passengers to more than 100 cities around the globe.

Dragonair web site address: www.dragonair.com