TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's budget carrier Tigerair Taiwan (台灣虎航) inaugurated direct service to Ishigaki Thursday (July 17), adding the picturesque southern Japanese island to its expanding network and establishing its 23rd destination in Japan. The low-cost airline will connect Taiwan's main international gateway with the tropical paradise through twice-weekly flights. This new route offers Taiwanese travelers easier access to an island renowned for its pristine white-sand beaches, vibrant coral reefs and crystalline waters popular among snorkelers and divers.
The outbound service, designated as flight IT-736, will depart from Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan's primary aviation hub located 40 kilometers west of Taipei, every Thursday and Sunday at noon. Passengers will experience a remarkably brief journey of approximately one hour before touching down in Ishigaki. The corresponding return leg, flight IT-737, is scheduled to depart Ishigaki Airport at 2:50 p.m. on those same days, allowing travelers the option of either quick weekend getaways or longer island stays.
Coinciding with the route launch, Tigerair Taiwan unveiled an enhanced digital passenger experience with new online self-check-in capabilities for travelers departing from all three of Taiwan's major international airports — Taoyuan, Taichung in central Taiwan, and Kaohsiung in the south. The streamlined service will be available for passengers flying to destinations across Japan, South Korea, and Thailand. The airline's digital platform now allows travelers to complete their check-in process remotely anytime from 48 hours until one hour before their scheduled departure, reducing wait times at airport counters.
The route expansion comes amid a sustained tourism boom to Japan, fueled largely by the Japanese yen's persistent weakness against major currencies, creating favorable exchange rates for international visitors. Japan welcomed 21.5 million foreign tourists during the first six months of 2025 alone, representing a robust 21% increase compared to the same period last year. Taiwanese travelers have enthusiastically joined this trend, with visitor numbers from the island democracy climbing more than 10% year-on-year to reach 3.28 million during this six-month window. ◼
