TAIPEI (Taiwan News) —The Ministry of Transportation and Communications announced Saturday that China Airlines will expand service with Airbus A330-300 aircraft at Kaohsiung International Airport starting March 30.

The airline’s A330-300 will operate daily flights from Kaohsiung to Seoul at 7:05 a.m. and Osaka at 3:35 p.m. The aircraft is set to serve short-haul international routes, including those to Japan and South Korea, per CNA.

China Airlines previously operated the single-aisle, 180-passenger A321 in the city. The A330-300, a twin-aisle aircraft with 300 seats, provides passengers with more spacious accommodations.

Southern Taiwan tourism operators called for expanded flight services and larger aircraft at Kaohsiung airport to boost tourism. Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) subsequently raised the issue with the ministry and secured the service expansion.

According to the Civil Aviation Administration, Kaohsiung International Airport serves 30 international destinations with 359 flights. 

The Tourism Administration said that 55,000 Japanese and 45,000 South Korean travelers entered Kaohsiung from January to November. During the same period, approximately 180,000 Japanese visitors and 140,000 South Korean travelers stayed in the city.

Eva Air's Hello Kitty-themed Airbus A321-200 launched its inaugural Kaohsiung-Hong Kong flight on Jan. 22, operating two daily flights through Feb. 28. The aircraft has eight business and 176 economy seats.

Tigerair Taiwan launched its Kaohsiung-Sapporo route on Jan. 21, operating two flights weekly. It is the airline's first Kaohsiung-Hokkaido route.