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 John Schmidt (dc8schmidt@twc.com) | Home > 
Taiwan's intercontinental Airline 4 /22
China Airlines was formed in December 1959 with two PBY Catalinas operating charter flights. It was October of 1962, when the airline operated its first scheduled service from Taipei to Hualien. In September of 1966 China acquired an Ex Trans International 1049H Constellation to launch international services from Taipei to Saigon.
As a government owned entity, in 1967, China was simply allowed to replace the well known and highly respected Civil Air Transport on international routes in Asia. These were facilitated with new 727 aircraft

Boeing 707s were acquired to initiate Trans Pacific Services, and despite a history of safety related issues, the airline has evolved and become a significant global airline.
Following are postcard images illustrating the evolution of China Airlines from domestic start up to Global giant.
Album by John Schmidt. 1 - 109 of 109 Total. 1790 Visits.
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China Brochure

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China Brochure 6

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China Brochure 2

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China Brochure 4

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China Brochure 5

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China  DC-4 #1 PKC
This priceless China Airlines issue  is essentially an aerial view of a highway from a China Airlines DC-4, B-1803. The airliner appears to have been acquired directly from the US Army Air Force.
This gem kindly shared by P K Chai


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China  DC-4 #2 PKC
This China Airlines issue features a DC-4, and one of China’s C-46s on the ramp.
"By courtesy of PK Chai"
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China  DC-4  Interior PKC
This extraordinary China issue, also shared by PK Chai, features a DC-4 interior, with rather cozy 5 abreast seating. The DC-4s remained in service with China Airlines through the mid 1960s.

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China  Hangar. PKC
A rare card shared by P K Chai, showing China Airlines original hangar with the Republic of China flag flying.

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China  Flight Attendants PKC
One final China issue from PK Chai, featuring 2 attractive China Airlines stewardesses

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China  L-1049H Constellation #1TH
A rare postcard view of China’s sole Constellation airliner. B-1809 was acquired from Trans International in 1966, and operated until 1970. It's initial services were between Taipei and Saigon
A Dexempo issue, kindly shared by Terry Hale


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China  727-100 #3 KCF
While operating an ancient fleet of DC-4s and C-46s, China placed an order for 3 new 727-109s. This rare likely pre-delivery card is kindly shared by Kuo-Ching Fu

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China  727-100 #2W
An exceptional China Air issue featuring B-1818, with a stewardess in the foreground. It was the first 727 delivered, arriving in March of 1967. It served until turned over to the Air Force in 1982.

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China  727-100 #1
A very nice in flight China issue of B-1818

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China  YS-11
At the end of 1969, 2 new Nihon YS-11s were acquired to handle some domestic services. This China issue features B-156, the first delivered. It’s first flight was from Taipei to Hualien on Jan.  1, 1970. It crashed at Sung Shan in August of that year.
After10 years of service, the other YS-11 (B-158) was sold to All Nippon.


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China  707-320C #1
In November of 1969, China received the first of two new 707-309Cs, which would be used on trans Pacific services. B-1826, shown on this China issue was the second 707 received.
It served 11 years before it was written off in a crash at Manila


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China  707-320C #2
A second China issue of their 707-309C. Four additional 320Cs were acquired in the early 1970s from other airlines.

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China  Caravelle 3
To supplement the 727 fleet, and serve lower density and domestic routes, China began to add Caravelle IIIs to the fleet. The first 2, added in 1970 & 1971, were ex Swissair aircraft. Two others were added, in 1973 and 1974.
The first Caravelle service was from Taipei to Kaohsiung on August 1, 1970.
Services continued for several years, with the final Caravelle flight undertaken in October of 1979


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China  747-100 #2
In May of 1975 China took delivery of their first Boeing 747, a 132 model originally built for Delta Airlines. This very nice China issue shows the airliner still wearing its original registration.

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China  747-100 #1
This very nice China issue features their 1st 747, with its permanent registration  B-1860 added to the image.

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China  747-100 #4
A less common China issue also shows the airliner in flight in its delivery registration. The airliner served China for 8 years, and later served with Pan American and Evergreen International

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China  747-100 #3
A nice China Airlines issue, promoting flights (with stop) from New York to Taipei. The 747 SP would soon eliminate this service.

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China  747-200 #1
This much later China  issue  features B-1860 with modified upper deck. Though described as a 200 on the card, it is in fact, still  a 100 model. After serving China for 9 years, it went to Pan American for 6 years as the Clipper Mandarin, and finished its service with Evergreen International.

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China  737-200
In April of 1976, China took delivery of their first 3 737-200 aircraft. These were originally All Nippon aircraft returned to Boeing. Four additional 737-209s were added to the fleet some 10 years later.
This image is not a card, but was extracted from a company brochure


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China  747 SP #5
In April of 1977, the new 747 SP joined the China intercontinental fleet. This wonderful card is often mistaken for airline issue, but is in fact from Taipei Tourism.

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China  747 SP #2
B-1862 was the first SP delivered, flying for 16 years with China, before joining the Mandarin fleet. In 1999 it went to Air Gulf Falcon.

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China  747 SP #1
Another excellent China issue of B-1862 in flight.

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China  747 SP #3
The SPs opened the door to new destinations, and shorter travel times, serving the airline for 22 years.

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China  747 SP #4 KCF
This excellent China issue shared by Kuo-Ching Fu.

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China  747 SP #6 KCF
A WGA issue.

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China  747 SP #7 KCF
An outstanding China issue touting their Taipei to Amsterdam service. By courtesy of Kuo-Ching Fu

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China  747-200F #1
An interesting perspective of 747-209F B-1894

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China  747-200F #2
A Michel Moskal issue featuring the complete aircraft on the ramp. This aircraft served China from delivery in 1980 to 2003 when it was sold to Kallita.

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China  DC-10-30 #1
China ordered the DC-10-30, and 1 was built (N8704Q) and fully painted. When China declined delivery, it was sold to British Caledonian.
It is remarkable that two China issues were already produced..


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China  DC-10-30 #2 KCF
A second China issue of the rejected airliner, shared by Kuo-Ching Fu.

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China  A-300 #1
The A300 B4 joined the fleet in April of 1982..This early China issue was likely a pre delivery card.

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China  A-300 #2KCF
An Airbus issue featuring the A-300 at Hong Kong.

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China  A-300-B4 #1
An excellent China airlines issue featuring B-190, still wearing its delivery registration. Delivered in June of 1982, It flew for 17 years before parked at Marana.

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China  A-300-B4 #2 KCF
This very similar China issue was kindly shared by Kuo-Ching Fu

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China  767-200 #2
In December of 1982, China received the first of 2 767-200 aircraft. This China issue features the first, B-1836. After 7 years it was sold to Air New Zealand, where it operated from 1989 to 1995. It then went to Air Canada, operating until 2001.

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China  767-200 #1
The other 767 was B-1838, shown on this Buchair issue. It followed the same path, later flying for Air New Zealand and Air Canada.

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China  Fleet
An excellent ramp view, featuring 2 747-132s, 2 747SP09s and an A-300.

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China  MD-11 #1
In late 1992, China began taking delivery of 5 New MD-11 Airliners. B-150, illustrated on this China issue was soon assigned to Mandarin but returned in March of 1999.  Six months later it was written off in a crash at Hong kong.

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China  MD-11 #2TH
Ironically, this Avimage issue, shared by Terry Hale, shows that airliner landing at Hong Kong in better conditions.

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China  747-400 #1
In 1989, China began adding the new 747-409s to their fleet.  B-161, shown on this excellent China issue was the first of 8 delivered. After it’s service with China it was converted To a “Dreamlifter” hauling 787 components.

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China  747-400 #2
The previous image was also used for this over-length China issue.

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China  747-400 #3
China's breathtaking new color schemes first appeared on the 747-400 fleet. This very nice China issue announces the new corporate identity.
Featured is B-164, delivered in January of 1993. It served until 2008.


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China  747-400 #4TH
A somewhat later China issue, shared by Terry Hale, uses the same image, with different background.

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China  747-400 #7
The image of B-164 was used once again on this New Chitose Airport issue.

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China  747-400 #8 KCF
One additional China issue of B-164, shared by Kuo-Ching Fu,  uses the same aircraft image.

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China  747-400 #5
This spectacular China issue features B-18210, wearing a special hybrid scheme. This beauty was delivered in December of 2004, and flew with China through 2020.

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China  747-400 #12 KCF

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China  747-400 #13

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China  747-400 #6TH
This  excellent China issue, features a 400 model at take off. Card kindly shared by Terry Hale

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China  747-400 #9 KCF
A very nice Skyward issue, shared by Kuo-Ching Fu shows 747-409 B-18212, delivered in March of 2005. It also operated until February of 2020

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China  747-400 #10 KCF
One additional publisher card, featuring China's 747-400, shared by Kuo-Ching Fu.

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China  747-400 #11 KCF
An outstanding postcard view of B-18203, wearing a special Taiwan culture and Creative scheme.
Delivered in December of 1997, it flew for 19 years befoe WFU.


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China  747-400F
This splendid take off view of China's 747-409F, B-18707 is an Edward Pascuzzi issue. Delivered in April of 2001, it is still current with China Airlines

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China  747-400F #2KCF
This excellent China Airlines issue, shared by Kuo-Ching Fu, features B-18718. Delivered in June of 2004, it, too, is still current with the airline.

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China  737-800 #1
In September of 1998, China began adding 737-800s to their fleet, ultimately adding 15. This outstanding China issue features B-18610, wearing the special "Lavender" livery. The 800s are still current with the airline.

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China  737-800 #2TH
This China Airlines issue, shared by Terry Hale, features B-18615, delivered in July of 2002.

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China  A-340-300 #1
In 2001 China took delivery of the first of 7 new A-340-300 airliners. A China airlines issue.

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China  A-340-300 #2
This spectacular China issued take off view features B-18806, delivered in October of 2001. It operated a little over 16 years but is now broken up.

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China  A-340-300 #3
Another China issue features a representation of their 340 in flight.

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China  A-340-300 #4TH
A very similar China issued A-340-300, shared by Terry Hale.

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China  A-330-300 #9 KCF
This China Issue, features B-18301, the first of China’s A-330s, delivered in June of 2004. Card by courtesy of Kuo-Ching Fu

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China  A-330-300 #6 KCF
A great view of B-18301 on an Airbus issue shared by Kuo-Ching Fu

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China  A-330-300 #3TH
A very nice take off view of a China issued 330-300 model, shared by Terry Hale. B-18306?

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China  A-330-300 #8 KCF
A splendid postcard view of A-330 B-18310, at take off, shared by Kuo-Ching Fu.

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China  A-330-300 #1
A spectacular China issue of B-18305, an A-330-300 delivered in June of 2005. Wearing the special "Butterfly Orchid" colors.  Card issued by China's German office.

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China  A-330-300 #4TH
A nice Take-off view of B-18305, wearing  the Butterfly Orchid  livery, kindly shared by Terry Hale

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China  A-330-300 #5 KCF
Another great view of the Butterfly Orchid aircraft shared by Kuo-Ching Fu. Card is a Frontier productions issue.

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China  A-330-300 #2TH
An excellent China issue of B-18311, wearing the special Taiwanese Fruit livery. Delivered in June of 2006. Card by courtesy of Terry Hale

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China  A-330-300 #7 KCF
An Airbus issue also featuring B-18311.

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China  A-330-300 #10 KCF
The outstanding Welcome to Taiwan livery, displayed on A-330 B-18355. An unidentified publisher issue.

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China  A-330-300 #10a KCF
A China Airlines issue of the “Welcome to Taiwan” aircraft on a frequently used background

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China  A-330-300 #11 KCF
A very nice postcard view of B-18358, wearing the special  Masalu Taiwan livery.

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China  A-330-300 #12 KCF
A splendid China issue of B-18361, wearing the special “cloud Gate Dance Theater livery, shared by Kuo-Ching Fu.

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China  777-300 #2
A spectacular China issue of their first 777-300 aircraft, B-18501, delivered in October of 2014

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China  777-300 #3
A slightly different view of B-18501, also a China issue

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China  777-300 #1
The previous image of the airliner, with interior views included.

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China  777-300 Sky Lounge  KCF
A larger view of the 777 Sky Lounge shared by Kuo-Ching Fu.

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China  777-300 Sky Lounge 2
One additional interior view of the 777.

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China  777-300ER #4 PKC.png
An outstanding China issue shared by PK Chai, featuring B-18006, wearing their 60th Anniversary Livery.

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China  777-300 #4 KCF
A  spectacular take off view of China's Co-Branded "Boeing Dreamliner" 777-300, B-18007. This beauty was delivered on May 16, 2016. Card is a Flying Books issue.
By courtesy of Kuo-Ching Fu.


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China  777-300 #5 KCF
The first of two similar publisher cards of China's 777-300

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China  777-300 #6 KCF
Also from an unidentified publisher.

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China  777-300 #7 KCF

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China  A-350-900 #1
The fabulous A-350-900 entered China’s fleet on Sept. 30, 2016. An excellent China issue introducing the airliner.

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China  A-350-900#7
A second China issue, featuring the A-350 aircraft.

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China  A-350-900 #5 KCF
This spectacular image of the A-350 is a German office issued advertising card.

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China  A-350-900 #3 KCF
An unusual China issue shared by Kuo-Ching Fu, showing the 350-900 in 60th anniversary colors.

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China  A-350-900 #2 KCF
A German office issue of the A-350 in Anniversary colors.

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China  A-350-900 #4 KCF
A splendid Christmas issue featuring the A-350-900 in 60th anniversary colors.

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China  A-350-900 #6
An impressive portrayal of the new A-350-900 on a German office issue promoting non-stop service from Frankfurt to Taipei.

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China  A-350-900 #8 PKC.png
Another outstanding China Airlines issue shared by PK Chai, this featuring the A-350-900 in 60th anniversary colors.

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China  Destinations 1 KCF
In addition to the generous suite of postcards of China’s aircraft, the airline issued an elegant collection of destination and cultural cards, each featuring a backdrop with A China airliner. This card promoting Taipei to Seoul flights includes a 737-800 in flight.               This and the following cards are all shared by Kuo-Ching Fu.

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China  Destinations 2 KCF
A lovely card promoting flights from Taipei to Yangon, with 737-800.

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China  Destinations 3 KCF
This nice view is promoting service from New York to Osaka, with 747 backdrop.

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China  Destinations 5KCF
The previous image is used on a horizontal version, announcingTaipei to Osaka to New York service as of April 28, 2011.

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China  Destinations 4KCF
This card announces the “Love and Hug” liveried 747-400 airliner

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China  Destinations 6KCF
A nice card promoting their SkyTeam access to world-wide destinations, Skytem liveried 747-400

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China  Destinations 7KCF
A nice image promoting the environment protection, with an A-340 in the background

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China  Destinations 8KCF
A splendid card promoting additional services from Taipei to Singapore

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China  Destinations 9KCF
Just an exceptional card displaying cheerful faces of Taiwan

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China  Destinations 10 KCF
Another elegant card promoting routes to Urumqi and Lijiang, with A-330 backdrop

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China  Destinations 11 KCF
This card announces new daily services to Auckland from Taipei.

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China  Destinations 12 KCF
A nice card announcing 3 flights weekly from Taipei to Brisbane to Auckland, with an A-330 backdrop.

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China  Destinations 13 KCF
This special card recognizes indigenous peoples of Taiwan and includes the spectacular Tribes of Taiwan A-330 livery.

 
   
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