US House members Pete Olson, John Culberson and Sheila Jackson Lee congratulated Taiwanese airline EVA Air on the opening of its new direct Taipei-Houston route. The new route began operation on Friday.
The three Congress members all represent the Houston area. During congratulatory remarks delivered on Thursday, local time, the three representatives said that the new route will make travel to Taiwan and Asia easier for Houston residents.
The representatives also said that the route will strengthen US-Taiwan business and trade ties while encouraging exchanges between the people of the US and Taiwan.
The new route is expected to encourage more Taiwanese travelers to visit the US. The number of Taiwanese visitors to the US has increased by 35% since the US added Taiwan to its visa waiver program in 2012.