The airline is resuming flights to the Taiwan capital after a five-year absence from the UK and will offer the only non-stop service to Taiwan. Flights will depart Gatwick at 21.15 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, taking just over 13 hours to arrive in Taipei at 18.30 the following day.

The return flight will leave Taipei at 09.30 on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, arriving at Gatwick at 15.30. On Friday, departure is at 08.55 and arrival at 14.55.

The Skyteam member will use a new Airbus A350 carrying 306 passengers in three classes. “We’re incredibly excited to be returning to the UK this year, making travel between the UK and Taiwan that much more simple and accessible,” says Roger Han, China Airlines’ senior vice president Europe.

“By offering the only non-stop service between these two countries, we hope to welcome travellers who may not have considered Taiwan as their first outbound destination previously. Furthermore, our route network offers a wonderful array of destinations throughout Asia or onward to Australia for British travellers to enjoy.”

China Airlines will compete with Taiwan’s EVA Air, which offers the only current direct link from the UK to Taipei with a Heathrow service via Bangkok.