SkyTeam member China Airlines (CAL) will codeshare with new Italian carrier ITA Airways.
Initially the airlines will partner and codeshare on China Airlines’ thrice-weekly Taipei-Rome service which will see ITA adds its designator to China Airlines’ CI75/76 rotations.
From Rome, the Taiwanese carrier will add its code to ITA flights, including to Venice, Torino, Genova, Trieste, Florence, Bologna, Bari, Brindisi, Lamezia Terme, Reggio Calabria, Palermo, and Catania.
China Airlines flies its new-technology Airbus A350-900s between Taipei and Rome.
These feature 32 premium business class seats, 31 in premium economy and 243 seats in standard economy.
From July 18, Prague will become China Airlines’ sixth destination in Europe.
The airline already has service to Rome, Vienna, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and London.
China Airlines says it will offer more nonstop flights from Taiwan to Europe this summer than local rival EVA Airways.
China Airlines also codeshares with other SkyTeam members, including KLM, Air France, and Air Europa.
In Germany, the airline has a partnership with national railway operator Deutsche Bahn.
China Airlines is focusing on the transit market for travel between Europe and Southeast Asia.
In addition to opening new services to Cebu, Danang, and Chiang Mai, as well as operating more than 150 return flights to Southeast Asia each week, the airline offers more options via codeshare deals including with Garuda Indonesia and Bangkok Airways.