Mandarin Airlines
A Taiwanese regional airline serving domestic, short-haul international, and charter markets as a China Airlines subsidiary.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Mandarin Airlines is a Taiwanese regional airline headquartered in Taipei and controlled by China Airlines. Its principal role is to operate domestic services within Taiwan and short-haul regional routes, allowing China Airlines to concentrate more heavily on long-haul and broader international flying. The airline also undertakes selected charter operations and maintains operating bases at Taipei Songshan Airport, Taichung International Airport, and Kaohsiung International Airport. The company was established on 1 June 1991 as a joint venture between China Airlines, which held 67 percent, and Koos Group, which held 33 percent. Its creation was closely linked to Taiwan's diplomatic and aviation circumstances at the time. China Airlines served as the Republic of China's flag carrier and used a livery associated with the Taiwan government. Because the People's Republic of China objected to the international representation implied by that branding and sought to restrict China Airlines' access to certain markets, a separate carrier without the same politically sensitive identity provided a way to develop international services. Mandarin Airlines began flying on 16 October 1991 with a nonstop Taipei–Sydney route. On 7 December of the same year it launched Taipei–Vancouver service, making it the first Taiwanese airline to operate direct flights to both Australia and Canada. This initial long-haul role was temporary. After China Airlines modified its branding and was able to restore greater emphasis on international routes, Mandarin Airlines shifted toward domestic and short-range regional flying. The ownership structure changed rapidly during the early 1990s. China Trust Group withdrew its investment on 31 October 1992, and by December of that year China Airlines controlled approximately 90.05 percent of Mandarin Airlines. A major restructuring followed on 8 August 1999, when China Airlines merged Formosa Airlines into Mandarin Airlines under the Mandarin name. Mandarin assumed Formosa's domestic operations and aircraft, while much of Mandarin's existing fleet and international activity moved to China Airlines. This established the division of labor that broadly defines the group today: China Airlines operates as the principal international carrier, while Mandarin Airlines focuses on Taiwan's domestic network and nearby regional routes. The airline has operated a range of regional aircraft. It leased Embraer E190 jets beginning in 2007 to replace older Fokker 50 and Fokker 100 aircraft; the E190 was the first and, according to the cited historical material, the only Embraer E190 type operated by a Taiwanese airline. Mandarin retired its final Fokker 100 in October 2009. In 2017 it ordered six ATR 72-600 aircraft, supporting the replacement and modernization of its turboprop fleet for shorter routes. Five Dornier 228 aircraft acquired in the early 2000s were used on outlying island services before being sold to Daily Air in 2005. Mandarin Airlines' visual identity uses Hai Tung Ching, a legendary gyrfalcon, as its emblem. Its commercial importance is primarily network-based rather than global brand recognition: the airline connects Taiwan's major cities and outlying islands, supports regional access, and complements China Airlines through interline and codeshare relationships. Reported interline partners include Emirates and Singapore Airlines, while codeshare relationships have included China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, and XiamenAir. The airline remains active as a China Airlines Group regional carrier, although specific ownership percentages, fleet composition, employee totals, and destination lists vary by reporting date.
History
Mandarin Airlines was founded in Taiwan on 1 June 1991 by China Airlines and Koos Group. The original ownership split was 67 percent for China Airlines and 33 percent for Koos Group. The airline's creation reflected the political constraints surrounding China Airlines' international identity. At the time, China Airlines operated as Taiwan's flag carrier and used branding associated with the Republic of China. The People's Republic of China opposed that international representation and applied pressure against China Airlines' overseas presence. A separate Taiwanese airline with a different identity could pursue routes without carrying the same symbolic burden. Mandarin Airlines commenced operations on 16 October 1991 with direct Taipei–Sydney flights. It expanded to Canada on 7 December 1991 with a Taipei–Vancouver service. These routes gave the new company an unusually international beginning and made it the first Taiwanese airline to fly directly to Australia and Canada. Its long-haul role diminished after China Airlines adjusted its livery and was able to resume a stronger international focus. Mandarin then became primarily a domestic and short-haul regional operator. The ownership structure consolidated around China Airlines in 1992. China Trust Group withdrew its investment on 31 October, and China Airlines held approximately 90.05 percent of Mandarin Airlines by December. The most consequential organizational change came in 1999. On 8 August, China Airlines merged Formosa Airlines into Mandarin Airlines. Mandarin inherited Formosa's domestic services and aircraft, whereas Mandarin's fleet and much of its international flying were transferred to China Airlines. The transaction created a clearer operating separation inside the group: China Airlines became the principal international airline, while Mandarin concentrated on Taiwan's domestic network and nearby regional markets. Fleet development has followed that regional mission. In the mid-2000s, Mandarin acquired five Dornier 228 aircraft from Uni Air for service to outlying routes. Those aircraft were later sold to Daily Air in 2005 after the latter won the operating bid for the routes. In December 2005, Mandarin announced a lease of eight Embraer E190 aircraft from GE Commercial Aviation Services. The first arrived in May 2007 and helped replace older Fokker 50 and Fokker 100 aircraft. Mandarin's E190 operation was notable because it was the first, and according to the cited historical account the only, use of the type by a Taiwanese airline. The carrier retired its final Fokker 100 on 27 October 2009. In 2017, it ordered six ATR 72-600 aircraft for delivery beginning in 2018, continuing the modernization of its short-haul fleet. Mandarin Airlines is based in Taipei's Songshan District and operates from Songshan, Taichung, and Kaohsiung. Its business includes domestic passenger flights, regional international services, and charter operations. The airline also participates in broader network connectivity through interline arrangements reported with Emirates and Singapore Airlines and codeshare arrangements involving China Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, and XiamenAir. Its brand mark depicts Hai Tung Ching, a gyrfalcon from Chinese legend. The airline has recorded operational incidents but the cited material identifies no hull-loss accident or passenger fatality involving its own aircraft. On 6 December 2006, Flight 1261 from Taipei to Kinmen landed normally before a missing nose-gear wheel was identified; the component was later found near Songshan Airport and there were no casualties. On 17 August 2012, Flight 369, an E190, experienced a runway excursion at Magong Airport in heavy rain. The aircraft struck runway-light bases and suffered a collapsed nose gear, again without reported injuries. A separate 1999 Hong Kong crash involving an MD-11 in Mandarin colors was operated by China Airlines at the time and had been removed from Mandarin Airlines several months earlier; it should not be treated as a Mandarin Airlines-operated accident. Mandarin remains an active China Airlines subsidiary and serves as the group's Taiwan-centered regional carrier. Exact fleet, employee, ownership, and route figures are time-sensitive and are not stated here unless supported by the supplied reference material.
- 2017
ATR 72-600 order placed
[1]The airline ordered six ATR 72-600 aircraft for regional operations.
- 2009
Fokker 100 fleet retired
[1]Mandarin retired its last Fokker 100 on 27 October.
- 2007
Embraer E190 enters service
[1]The first leased E190 arrived in May as part of the replacement of older Fokker aircraft.
- 2005
Dornier 228 aircraft transferred to Daily Air
[1]Five Dornier 228 aircraft previously used for outlying-route services were sold to Daily Air.
- 1999
Formosa Airlines merger
[1]Formosa Airlines was merged into Mandarin Airlines, bringing its domestic operations and aircraft into the Mandarin platform.
- 1992
China Airlines becomes dominant shareholder
[1]Following China Trust Group's exit, China Airlines held approximately 90.05 percent of Mandarin Airlines by December.
- 1991
Company founded
[1]Mandarin Airlines was established on 1 June as a joint venture between China Airlines and Koos Group.
- 1991
Commercial operations begin
[1]The airline inaugurated service on 16 October with a direct Taipei–Sydney route.
- 1991
Taipei–Vancouver service launched
[1]Mandarin opened a direct route to Vancouver on 7 December.
Products and positioning
A Taiwan-focused regional carrier positioned as the domestic and short-haul complement to China Airlines' international network.
Air transportation · 1992
Domestic passenger services
Mandarin Airlines operates scheduled passenger services within Taiwan, including routes linking major urban airports with regional locations and outlying islands. These flights form the core of the airline's contemporary role and complement China Airlines' primarily international network. Services are associated with operating bases at Taipei Songshan, Taichung, and Kaohsiung.
Air transportation · 1991
Regional international services
The airline operates short-haul international and regional passenger routes, primarily serving markets connected to Taiwan. Mandarin's early history included direct long-haul flights to Sydney and Vancouver, but following the 1999 restructuring its strategic emphasis became regional rather than intercontinental.
Air transportation
Charter services
In addition to scheduled flying, Mandarin Airlines operates selected charter services. These flights provide capacity for market-specific or seasonal demand and extend the airline's role beyond its regular domestic and regional timetable.
Regional aircraft service · 2007
Embraer E190 operations
Mandarin introduced leased Embraer E190 jets in 2007 to replace older Fokker 50 and Fokker 100 aircraft. The type provided jet capacity for domestic and regional routes and was distinctive in Taiwan because Mandarin was identified as the first, and at the time the only, Taiwanese operator of the E190.
Regional aircraft service · 2018
ATR 72-600 operations
Mandarin ordered six ATR 72-600 turboprops in 2017 for delivery beginning in 2018. The type supports the economics and operational requirements of shorter regional routes, including services where turboprop capacity is appropriate.
Brand decisions
2017
ATR 72-600 fleet orderGeneration changeBackground
Mandarin required modern turboprop capacity for domestic and short-haul regional flying.
Action taken
The airline placed an order for six ATR 72-600 aircraft on 19 July.
Aftermath
Deliveries were planned for 2018, supporting renewal of the regional fleet.
2005
Transfer of outlying-island aircraftStrategyBackground
Mandarin had used five Dornier 228 aircraft on outlying routes, but Daily Air won the bid to operate the relevant money-losing services.
Action taken
Mandarin sold the five Dornier 228 aircraft to Daily Air.
Aftermath
The outlying-route operation was transferred to another carrier, allowing Mandarin to adjust its fleet and route responsibilities.
2005
E190 fleet modernizationGeneration changeBackground
The airline needed to replace aging Fokker 50 and Fokker 100 aircraft used in regional service.
Action taken
Mandarin announced the lease of eight Embraer E190 aircraft from GE Commercial Aviation Services.
Aftermath
The first aircraft was delivered in May 2007 and the E190 became a central modern jet type in the airline's regional fleet.
1999
Integration of Formosa AirlinesM&ABackground
China Airlines reorganized its Taiwanese airline interests and sought to consolidate domestic operations.
Action taken
Formosa Airlines was merged into Mandarin Airlines. Mandarin assumed Formosa's domestic services and aircraft, while much of Mandarin's international activity moved to China Airlines.
Aftermath
Mandarin became the group's principal domestic and regional operating brand in Taiwan.
1992
Shift toward domestic and short-haul regional operationsStrategyBackground
After China Airlines restored a stronger international role through revised branding, Mandarin Airlines no longer needed to serve as the group's principal alternative international vehicle.
Action taken
Mandarin was repositioned primarily as a domestic and short-range intra-regional airline.
Aftermath
The change established the complementary operating model in which China Airlines emphasizes international routes and Mandarin focuses on Taiwan and nearby regional markets.
Recent events
Reported
KKday and Mandarin Airlines announce exclusive travel packages for a Taitung New Year’s Eve concert[2]
KKday and Mandarin Airlines announced two exclusive travel options for customers attending a New Year’s Eve concert in Taitung; the packages were scheduled to go on sale on KKday’s website on October 23.
Reported
China Airlines and Mandarin Airlines announce free ticket changes[3]
China Airlines and Mandarin Airlines announced a one-month offer allowing eligible international-ticket holders unlimited changes without a change fee, subject to stated conditions.
Reported
Mandarin Airlines announces Double 11 ticket discount[4]
Mandarin Airlines announced a Double 11 promotion offering a NT$999 discount on eligible domestic one-way tickets purchased through its app using a discount code. The codes were scheduled to appear on its website on November 11, with eligible tickets purchasable from November 12 to 14, 2019.
Sources4 sources
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