PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA: AirAsia will fly direct to Taipei five times a week from July 1.

The new route will be operated by its low-cost long-haul-carrier affiliate AirAsia X.

"Attractive fares are being offered from as low as RM101 (S$42) one-way, which are exclusively available through the website at www.airasia.com.

"Booking period is from today till May 3 for travel between July 1 and Jan 31 next year," it said in a statement yesterday.

AirAsia regional commercial head Kathleen Tan said Taipei was the company's final piece in its network strategy for the region and that it was "extremely excited about the potential of the new route".

"We are confident that our ultra-low fares will entice the Taiwanese public and Malaysians who reside, work and study in the island republic to fly home and connect with their families," she said.

"Most importantly, we believe our low fares will help to stimulate and trigger new travel demand, and help boost tourism on both ends."

In an AirAsia briefing in Taipei, Malaysian Friendship and Trade Centre for Taiwan president Datuk Abdullah Mohd Salleh said Taiwanese visitors would feel at home in Malaysia due to the presence of the Chinese community in the country.

"Likewise, our tourists will feel very much at home in Taipei. For Muslims, finding halal restaurants in Taipei won't be a very big problem," he said, adding that there were some 4,000 Malaysian students in Taiwan.

-The Star/Asia News Network