Rep. Royce: “Non-Stop, International Flights From Ontario, CA Are Engine for Job Growth and Opportunity”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representative Ed Royce (CA-39) released the following statement after China Airlines confirmed the first dates for newly added international flights from Ontario International Airport (ONT) to Taipei (TPE), Taiwan:

“Today, we celebrate an important milestone in the decades-long effort to bring daily, nonstop international flights to Ontario, California. As Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I fought to make this possible given the important role that Southern California plays as gateway to the Asia-Pacific region. China Airlines’ decision to expand flights from Taipei, Taiwan, into Ontario will create job growth and opportunity throughout our region.”

“Taiwan’s entry into the Visa Waiver Program in 2012 and Global Entry in 2017 – two programs that I championed – have already translated into new growth with travel volume between the U.S. and Taiwan increasing by more than 50 percent. Bringing international flights to Ontario Airport will energize Southern California and fulfill the promise of broad economic development.”

Background:

In August of 2017, Rep. Royce led a bipartisan delegation to Taiwan for a fifth time as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee to advocate for peace, stability, and economic growth. During the visit, the delegation met with the mayor of Taoyuan, Taiwan and the chairman of China Airlines to discuss the company’s plans to expand nonstop service to California’s Ontario Airport.

Taiwan is California’s seventh largest trading partner, and the people of Taiwan spend approximately $7 billion a year on Californian goods and services. This translates into significant economic benefits for California residents as more tourists and business travelers take advantage of a closer and more efficient way to travel across the Pacific Ocean.

Washington, January 23, 2018