Taipei — EVA Airways Corp. (EVA), Taiwan’s second largest carrier, announced Thursday it will operate three Taipei-Yangon flights per week starting Oct. 9 to reflect increasing trade and travel exchanges between Taiwan and Myanmar.

Myanmar’s political turmoil has gradually eased since April, suggesting greater stability in its economy and society, the company said.

This means there will be increasing flight demand between Taiwan and Myanmar, as many Taiwanese are either doing business or showing a growing interest in traveling to the Southeast Asian country, EVA said.

The company also expressed optimism towards the new route’s market potential, adding that more than 30 percent of its future clients are expected to be North American passengers making transfers to Myanmar, also known as Burma, via Taiwan.

MD-90 jets will operate the route initially, with A321 planes taking over the route in the second quarter of 2013, the company said.

Taiwan’s flagship carrier China Airlines currently operates four flights per week between Taipei and Yangon.

Earlier this year, the company said the number of flights will be increased to five per week starting Sept. 15.

(By Lee Hsin-Yin)