EVA Air (Eva) and Asiana Airlines (Asiana) have initiated code-shared service between Taipei and Seoul. As of 1June, 2011, the two airlines are providing 16 flights every week, making business travel significantly more convenient and giving leisure travelers more choices for connecting flights between Taiwan and Korea. The Korean won's strong appreciation in the wake of the economic crisis led to a sizeable increase in the number of travelers from Korea who visited Taiwan last year. More than 210,000 Koreans went to Taiwan in 2010, growing this important travel market by 29.38 percent over 2009. At the same time, a greater number of Taiwanese travelers were attracted by Korea's television soap operas, food and culture, and this market grew to 400,000, a 4.5 percent increase over 2009. EVA carried more than 160,000 of these travelers between Taipei and Seoul, achieving an average load factor of approximately 85 percent. During the first quarter of this year, approximately 70,000 travelers came from Korea to Taiwan. Demand is strong and continues to grow in both travel markets. Along with breaking new ground and expanding services for Taiwan and Korea-based airlines, this cooperation holds tremendous benefits for EVA and Asiana and gives passengers more flexible itinerary options.(mar)