TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Airlines on Friday expressed optimism about the impact of the NT$10,000 (US$322) cash handout on the travel business.

Registration for the handout began Wednesday, with distribution expected to start Nov. 12. Speaking at the Taipei International Travel Fair, airline executives said consumers would be willing to spend the extra money on travel, per CNA.

China Airlines Chair Kao Shing-hwang (高星潢) said Taiwan’s largest carrier would make an effort to expand the frequency of flights to Europe and North America. The company is still evaluating which destinations would benefit most from the added services, he said.

Sales of tickets have been brisk for the airline’s newest destination, Phoenix, Arizona, while cities in Japan and Bangkok were also popular, he added. Kao called on consumers to spend their extra money at China Airlines and its subsidiary, Mandarin Airlines, at the travel fair.

Rival EVA Air presented the fourth generation of its premium economy seats at the event. Airline President Sun Chia-ming (孫嘉明) estimated that many consumers would use the NT$10,000 handout to book overseas trips. No matter whether they registered for tours with travel agencies or bought airplane tickets, the measure would benefit the travel sector, he said.