AFTER a year of highly sensitive diplomatic wrangling, British Airways (BA) and Taiwan's EVA Airways have been given permission to operate direct flights between London and Taipei.
EVA, a subsidiary of the giant Evergreen shipping and industrial group, has yet to announce firm plans but is likely to fly to Britain three times a week from late March or early April by adding an extra flight and leg to its existing twice-weekly service to Vienna.
BA will operate a twice-weekly service between London and Taipei and has traffic rights to pick up and drop passengers in Hongkong en route.
Flights will depart London Heathrow airport on Mondays and Saturdays from March 29, continuing on from Hongkong on Tuesdays and Sundays.
Return flights will depart from Taipei for Hongkong and London on Tuesdays and Sundays.
The British airline's management has had to go to great lengths to avoid a diplomatic row with China and risk possible repercussions.