Originally Posted by
Infinite1K
Back in the day, United had a nonstop from San Francisco to Nagoya. Was wondering if that would be a route that would get resurrected.
Yes, it was in fact SFO-NGO-TPE, and the NRT-TPE leg was temporarily dropped. You had to deplane in NGO and go through security directly to the gate if you were continuing in either direction. No lounge access. I knew one UA staff who moved from NRT to NGO who told me the route had an auto industry manufacturer contract supporting it. Not sure if it was both directions or not but possibly. The contract was not renewed a year later and the route dropped.
The TPE-NGO leg I always felt was a strange addition, but it was easier to book in business on a Friday or Saturday than the TPE-SFO non-stop.
Originally Posted by
Wyfind
I believe the local governments want KIX to be like NRT, a hub for international (really, Asia regional flights, as you pointed out) and discount carriers.
Coincidentally, Kansai Airports, which manages KIX, ITM and UTB, issued a press release last week lowering parking and landing fees for international flights. They seem to want to encourage low-cost carriers especially, with new discounts for remote stands and late-night or early-morning arrivals.
Oct. 29, 2025:
Introducing New Parking Charge and Landing Charge Discount for International Passenger Flights at KIX T1
I find it difficult to identify a cohesive policy actually being implemented by Kansai Airports. JX (Starlux from Taiwan), a true high end carrier, could not get RMQ (Taichung) to KIX so went with KTB (Kobe) and then added TPE-KTB as well. The last blurb I read from Kansai Airports was KTB was going to focus on supporting LCCs, and JX is no LCC....
But whatever the strategy it is really good to see new flights to the Kansai region.
Originally Posted by
SPN Lifer
Seems like it took forever, right?
FWIW I heard a few weeks ago from a GUM based FA the reason is UA was waiting for the seasonal UBN service to finish for this year and using the plane and crew for NRT-ROR.