Uni Air
UNI Air is a regional airline based in Zhongshan, Taipei, Taiwan. With an operation focus on domestic routes, UNI Air is a subsidiary of Evergreen Group, making it a sister airline of the mainline operator EVA Air. It was known as Makung Airlines until 1996, when EVA Air took a majority share of the airline. In 1998, the airline merged with Great China Airlines and Taiwan Airways, which EVA Air also had interests in, to form UNI Airways.
The airline has had the largest market share in the domestic Taiwan market in recent years, and has expanded to include international flights. A few of its former McDonnell Douglas MD-90 and current ATR 72 aircraft were repainted and flew for parent carrier EVA Air due to overcapacity. In recent years, Uni Air has launched services to international destinations from the southern Taiwanese port city of Kaohsiung. In 2007, the airline received permission to begin flights to Japan.
General
UNI Air has operated two-class services, with domestic business- and economy-class seating. Business-class passengers have access to EVA Air's Evergreen Lounges. UNI Air's predecessor, Makung International Airlines, operated a fleet of BAe 146 series jet aircraft. These aircraft were sold when Uni Air was formed. Uni Air's IATA Code is B7, its ICAO code is UIA, and its callsign is Glory, in reference to its sister company Uniglory Shipping Corporation. In 2012, Uni Air unveiled a new livery and tail/logo on the MD-90 and its new ATR 72-600 aircraft.Destinations
The airline operates mainly to domestic and China destinations, but also operates scheduled international flights to Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City and Seoul. Also chartered flights to Surabaya and Jeju from Kaohsiung. Uni Air's destinations are:| Country | City | Airport | Notes | Refs |
| China, Mainland | Chongqing | Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport | ||
| China, Mainland | Dalian | Dalian Zhoushuizi International Airport | ||
| China, Mainland | Fuzhou | Fuzhou Changle International Airport | ||
| China, Mainland | Hangzhou | Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport | ||
| China, Mainland | Huangshan | Huangshan Tunxi International Airport | ||
| China, Mainland | Nanjing | Nanjing Lukou International Airport | ||
| China, Mainland | Ningbo | Ningbo Lishe International Airport | ||
| China, Mainland | Qingdao | Qingdao Liuting International Airport | ||
| China, Mainland | Shenyang | Shenyang Taoxian International Airport | ||
| China, Mainland | Shenzhen | Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport | ||
| China, Mainland | Wuxi | Sunan Shuofang International Airport | ||
| Philippines | Manila | Ninoy Aquino International Airport | ||
| South Korea | Seoul | Incheon International Airport | ||
| Taiwan | Beigan Island | Beigan Airport | ||
| Taiwan | Chiayi | Chiayi Airport | ||
| Taiwan | Hengchun | Hengchun Airport | ||
| Taiwan | Kaohsiung | Kaohsiung International Airport | ||
| Taiwan | Kinmen | Kinmen Airport | ||
| Taiwan | Magong | Penghu Airport | ||
| Taiwan | Nangan | Nangan Airport | ||
| Taiwan | Pingtung | Pingtung Airport | ||
| Taiwan | Taichung | Taichung International Airport | ||
| Taiwan | Tainan | Tainan Airport | ||
| Taiwan | Taipei | Taipei Songshan Airport | ||
| Taiwan | Taipei | Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport | ||
| Taiwan | Taitung | Taitung Airport | ||
| Vietnam | Ho Chi Minh City | Tan Son Nhat International Airport |
UNI Air also operates charter flights to Yonago, Okayama, Hakodate, Miyazaki, Koriyama, Nagasaki, Obihiro, and Asahikawa in Japan, as well as Seoul, Busan, and Jeju in South Korea for various tour groups.
UNI Air flights connect to the EVA Air network via Taipei and Kaohsiung, with service to over 40 international destinations worldwide.
Codeshare agreements
Uni Air has codeshare agreements with the following airlines:- Air China
- EVA Air
- Hainan Airlines
- Shandong Airlines
- Shenzhen Airlines
Fleet
The airline fleet previously included the following aircraft :
- Boeing 757-200
- BAe 146-300
- Bombardier Dash 8-Q200
- Bombardier Dash 8-Q300
- McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30
Accidents and incidents
- On 24 August 1999, Uni Air Flight 873, a McDonnell Douglas MD-90, landed at Hualien Airport and was rolling on Runway 21, when an explosion was heard in the front section of the passenger cabin, followed by smoke and then fire. The pilot immediately braked, brought the aircraft to a stop on the runway. Then, after deploying the evacuation slides and initiating an emergency passenger evacuation, the pilot proceeded to call the tower for help. Upon receiving this call, fire squads at both the Hualien Airport and the Air Force Wing rushed to the scene to extinguish the fire. The fire was eventually put out at 13:45. While the upper part of the fuselage was completely destroyed, 90 passengers plus the crew of 6 were safely evacuated. Casualties included 14 seriously injured passengers and another 14 that suffered minor injuries. Most of the injured passengers suffered burns. There was eventually one death. Fragments produced by the explosion struck 1 passenger.