Taipei-based Starlux Airlines inaugural flight officially landed at Clark International Airport (CRK) here on Tuesday.

It marked the start of the Taipei-Clark daily flights of the airlines’ Airbus A321 neo.

The aircraft is configured in a two-class layout, with eight fully-flat business class seats in a 2-2 configuration and 180 seats in an economy class 3-3 setup.

The ceremony was attended by Starlux chief executive officer (CEO) Glenn Chai; Joshua Bingcang, president and CEO of Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA); Noel Manankil, president and CEO of Luzon International Premier Airport Development Corporation (LIPAD); and Ambassador Wallace Minn-Gan Chow, representative of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines (TECO).

“Many Taiwanese might not know much about Clark. But, we firmly believe in its tremendous potential for Taiwanese tourists. Clark offers a mix of fascinating history, breathtaking natural landscapes, and vibrant cultural experiences that will leave a lasting impression on every traveler who visits,” Chai said during the event.

“Today marks a significant milestone as we expand our excellent service to include flights from Clark to Taipei, Starlux will surely deliver exceptional travel experience to all the passengers,” Chai added.

Manankil welcomed Starlux Airlines to CRK.

“We are honored by the trust that Starlux bestowed upon LIPAD and CRK. We are happy to showcase the airport to all travelers between Clark and Taiwan and hope that with the hassle-free journey that they will experience, tourists will be even more encouraged to choose CRK as their gateway,” Manankil said.

The Taipei – Clark route is expected to increase Starlux’s competitiveness in the North American transit market by significantly reduced travel time for passengers heading to the northern Philippines.

In addition to offering greater convenience, Starlux’s premium inflight service will attract more business travelers seeking luxury and comfort.

Starlux currently flies to 18 destinations, including Los Angeles, Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Okinawa, Sapporo, Sendai, Macau, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hanoi, Manila, Cebu, and Clark.

The fleet also continues to grow, with a current count of 20 aircrafts –13 A321neos, four A330neos, and three A350s.

The fourth A350 is expected to be delivered by the end of the year. (PNA)