STARLUX Airlines Launches Taichung to Nagoya Flights to Boost Taiwan-Japan Travel

Strengthening travel corridors between central Taiwan and central Japan starting October 25, 2026, STARLUX Airlines is launching scheduled flight services connecting Taichung with Nagoya.

The direct route, operated using narrow-body Airbus A321neo aircraft, represents an important expansion of regional aviation options. According to route updates published on August 13, 2026, flights will initially operate on select dates in October, transitioning to daily operations in November, and moving to a three-times-weekly schedule in December. This seasonal service allows passengers in central Taiwan to bypass the congested northern hub at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, establishing a direct connection to Japan's Chubu region.

The Local Trend Revealed: Strategic Regional Air Infrastructure

The launch of the Taichung-Nagoya route comes amid a substantial expansion in travel demand between the two nations. According to data from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), Japan received approximately 3,972,200 visitors from Taiwan in the first six months of 2026—a 20.9% increase from the 3,284,799 arrivals recorded during the same period in 2025. In June 2026 alone, Taiwanese arrivals to Japan rose by 14.6% to reach 670,400, accounting for nearly one-fifth of the total international visitor volume.

This growth is mirrored by Japanese arrivals to Taiwan. The Taiwan Tourism Administration reported 120,310 visitors resident in Japan in January 2026, representing 16.63% of total inbound arrivals, with Japanese traveler nationality growing by 33.79% year-over-year. As air transport carried 93.21% of all international visitors entering Taiwan, the expansion of direct routes at Taichung International Airport is essential for distributing visitor traffic. Currently, Taoyuan Airport processes 75.83% of all arrivals, Kaohsiung processes 8.70%, and Taichung represents a small but growing share.

Under the updated framework, municipal authorities in central Taiwan are coordinating to improve transit corridors to Taichung International Airport. According to updates from the Taiwan Tourism Administration and local transport departments, these initiatives are designed to improve route accessibility, reduce transfer times, and support growing traveler demand from neighboring counties like Changhua and Nantou.

The following table details the STARLUX flight schedules and operational parameters:

Flight Parameter / Date	Scheduled Operations Detail	Target Hub / Connection	Primary Traveler Significance
Operating Airline	STARLUX Airlines	Taichung International (RMQ)	Regional departure bypassing Taoyuan hub
Inaugural Flight	October 25, 2026	Chubu Centrair (NGO)	Gateway to Nagoya and central Japan
October Operations	25, 26, 28, and 30 October	Selected launch dates	Initial passenger operations phase
November Operations	Daily scheduled service	Daily rotations	High-frequency autumn travel corridor
December Operations	Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays	3 flights weekly	Adjusted winter schedule frequency
Operating Aircraft	Airbus A321neo	Narrow-body passenger jet	Modern, fuel-efficient regional fleet
Ticket Sales Start	August 13, 2026	Global booking channels	Available for direct booking

Global Aviation Partnerships and Regional Market Context

The expansion of STARLUX Airlines at Taichung Airport is part of a broader strategy to develop secondary gateways in Taiwan. Historically, international routes have been heavily concentrated at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) in the north, which processes over 75% of all inbound traffic. By establishing direct flight connections from Taichung, regional airports can capture local demand and reduce ground transport congestion on major highways and high-speed rail lines.

This route expansion aligns with STARLUX's premium branding, offering high-quality service on short-haul routes to popular Japanese destinations. The airline's investment in brand-new Airbus A321neo aircraft, featuring advanced cabin amenities and seating, is designed to attract discerning travelers who are willing to pay a premium for direct, comfortable travel. As regional competition increases, the success of these secondary routes will depend on maintaining steady passenger load factors and coordinating marketing campaigns with municipal tourism bureaus in both Taichung and Nagoya.

Chubu Centrair and Central Japan Tourism Dispersal

The Japanese arrival gateway is Chubu Centrair International Airport, located on an artificial island in Ise Bay near Tokoname. Centrair processed 11,038,828 passengers during the 2024 financial year (April 2024 to March 2025), including 4,914,193 international travelers. The airport provides direct transit connections to Aichi, Gifu, and Mie prefectures.

From Centrair, visitors can access the Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995. Famous for their steeply pitched, thatched gassho-style houses designed to withstand heavy winter snow, these isolated mountain villages represent a significant tourism draw. Ecotourism guidelines are strictly enforced at Shirakawa-go to prevent overcrowding, requiring visitors to stay on designated paths, manage waste responsibly, and support local community preservation initiatives by hiring local heritage guides and staying in traditional minshuku guesthouses.

Cultural and Environmental Value: Empowering Regional Heritage

For the visitor, the real impact of the new service is the opportunity to explore beyond major metropolitan gateways, directly supporting local cultural preservation. In Nagoya, travelers can visit Nagoya Castle, completed in 1615 under Tokugawa Ieyasu, which features the beautifully restored Hommaru Palace showcasing traditional wood craftsmanship.

In central Taiwan, the Taichung City Government has expanded multilingual travel guides to encourage international visitors to explore regional attractions, including Sun Moon Lake in Nantou County and the cultural heritage spots of Changhua and Miaoli. By starting their journeys at regional airports, travelers help reduce the environmental pressures of mass tourism in major capitals while distributing economic benefits directly to local businesses, craft workshops, and rural hospitality providers.

Visitor Insider Tips: Navigating Taichung and Nagoya

Exploring these central regional hubs requires specific local insight:

Navigating Chubu Airport Transit: Avoid expensive taxi fares from Chubu Centrair to downtown Nagoya. Take the Meitetsu Airport Express train (the "Mu-Sky"), which connects the airport to Nagoya Station in just 28 minutes.
Escalator and Sightseeing Etiquette: When riding escalators in Nagoya, it is customary to stand on the left side and leave the right side open for walking. Remove your shoes when entering historic castle towers or traditional temples.
Sampling Culinary Specialties: Try Hitsumabushi (grilled eel on rice served with tea broth) in Nagoya. In Taichung, try local Sun cakes (flaky maltose pastries) and visit the Fengjia Night Market for regional street-side dining.
Under-the-Radar Spot: Visit the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology in Nagoya, which showcases the city's history from textile looms to advanced automotive manufacturing. In Taichung, visit the restored Audit Village to support local designers.

Tourism Outlook: Sustainable Regional Air Networks

The future outlook for regional aviation in central Taiwan relies on balancing passenger demand with operational efficiency. By establishing Taichung as a direct gateway for flights to central Japan, the new route helps reduce ground transport congestion and supports regional businesses. As STARLUX Airlines and tourism authorities continue to align their marketing and flight frequencies, this direct connection will serve as a vital link, facilitating sustainable travel, cultural exchange, and regional economic integration between Taiwan and Japan.

Key Takeaways

Direct Connections: STARLUX Airlines will launch Taichung to Nagoya flights on October 25, 2026, utilizing Airbus A321neo aircraft.
Varying Timetable: Frequencies range from selected dates in October to daily in November, moving to three weekly flights in December.
Strong Travel Demand: Japan received 3.97 million visitors from Taiwan in the first half of 2026, marking a 20.9% annual increase.
Tourism Dispersal: The route utilizes Chubu Centrair as a gateway to heritage attractions like Nagoya Castle and Shirakawa-go.