Mandarin Airlines

Mandarin Airlines (Chinese: 華信航空; pinyin: Huáxìn Hángkōng) is an airline based in Taipei, Republic of China (Taiwan). The Taiwanese carrier operates domestic and regional international flights, while its parent company focusses on the inter-national/-continental operations. Charter services are also operated by the company. Its other main hub is the Taichung Airport.

History

Mandarin Airlines was established on 1 June 1991, and was initially a joint venture by China Airlines (67%) and CTBC Holding (33%); the Chinese name of the company is formed by the combination of the two. The establishment of Mandarin Airlines is closely related to the political status of Taiwan. At the time, Mandarin Airlines' parent company, China Airlines, still served as the flag carrier of the Republic of China, with the flag of the Republic of China a part of its livery. Denying the existence of the Taipei government, the People's Republic of China hence attempted to boycott the international presence of China Airlines, using trade barriers to achieve its political goal. However, PRC's objection did not extend to other Taiwanese carriers not carrying the ROC flag. As a way to work around these limits, Mandarin Airlines was founded while China Airlines maintained its role as the flag carrier.