Indonesia-Taiwan Launches First Charter Flight from Taipei to Manado

6 hours ago 2

February 16, 2026 | 11:42 am

Illustration of a chartered plane. charterjetairlines.com

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Economic and Trade Office in Taipei launched TransNusa's inaugural charter flight from Taipei to Manado at Taoyuan Airport in Taipei, Taiwan, on Saturday, February 14, 2026.

This route will serve round-trip flights between Taoyuan Airport and Sam Ratulangi International Airport in Manado, North Sulawesi.

Arif Sulistiyo, Head of the Indonesian Economic and Trade Office in Taipei, is optimistic that the launch of this charter route will have a multiplier effect on tourism performance to Indonesia's leading destinations and the economy of Eastern Indonesia.

"We hope that Indonesian exporters to Taiwan will also utilize this route in the future. For example, regular flights can create an alternative shipping route to Taiwan using air cargo," said Arif in a written statement on Sunday, February 15, 2026.

The inaugural flight was officially launched by Johanes Andi Susanto, Deputy Head of the Indonesian Economic and Trade Office in Taipei, along with Ruth Evelin Pasaribu, Head of Tourism and Transportation at the Indonesian Economic and Trade Office in Taipei, and representatives from Chan Sheng International Travel Service Co., Ltd., at Terminal 1 Departures at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.

The inaugural Taipei-Manado charter flight successfully carried 134 tourists from Taiwan to Manado. The round-trip charter flight from Taipei to Manado was operated by TransNusa Airlines, an Airbus A320. Direct charter flights will operate three times: February 14, 18, and 22, 2026.

Arif Sulistiyo also hopes that the Taipei-Manado charter route will develop into a regular route as interest in Manado grows. Improved tourism performance is expected to positively impact the products of local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

He stated that the number of Taiwanese tourists to Indonesia will reach 204,704 throughout 2025, an 11.65 percent increase compared to 2024.

Read: How to Stay Restful in Long-Haul Flights: Better Sleep, Less Turbulence

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