EVA Air Sponsors NBA's Houston Rockets, Resumes Daily Flights to Houston

EVA Air has resumed daily nonstop flights between Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) near Taipei and George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). The airline also signed a multi-year partnership deal with the NBA's Houston Rockets to celebrate the return of daily service. EVA Air has offered nonstop flights between Taipei and Houston at various frequency levels since June 2015.

EVA Air will be an "Official Partner of the Houston Rockets" until 2026 as part of the deal. The carrier will receive prominently displayed signage at the team's stadium, the Toyota Center, starting with the upcoming 2023 season. On October 29, the Rockets will host the Golden State Warriors in their home opener. Before that, the Rockets will play away games against the Orlando Magic and San Antonio Spurs on October 25 and 27, respectively.

Aside from appearing at the Toyota Center, EVA Air will participate in various team-sponsored events. The airline will be the Presenting Partner of the Rockets' annual Filipino Heritage Night. The event, scheduled for the team's home game against the Charlotte Hornets on November 1, highlights the large Filipino community in the Houston area. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Houston's Filipino population witnessed a 5% increase from 2015 to 2021.

Andrew Su, EVA Air's Executive Vice President for the Americas Head Office, said the following about the partnership:

"On behalf of our entire EVA staff, we are thrilled to be an 'Official Partner for the Houston Rockets.' Collaboration with the Rockets is inspiring for our own team as we work together to make EVA and our services the best they can be. It's going to be a special pleasure for us to welcome the NBA team's fans to Asia in Rockets' style. EVA and the Rockets are a winning combination."

Gretchen Sheirr, the Houston Rockets' President of Business Operations, added: 

"We are excited to announce our partnership with EVA Air, an airline that shares the Houston Rockets commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction. We are extremely grateful for the support from our fans around the world and look forward to them having more opportunities to cheer us on in person with EVA Air resuming daily service in Houston."

EVA Air originally offered three weekly flights between Taipei and Houston before adding one more weekly flight in July 2015. Due to travel restrictions, the airline reduced its weekly flights during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that the U.S. and Taiwan have reopened to outbound travel, it made sense for EVA Air to resume daily flights. Houston has a large Taiwanese community interested in visiting Taiwan for business, leisure, or family reasons.

EVA Air's service is the only direct route between Houston and Greater China, a region encompassing mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. Air China and China Airlines used to offer direct flights to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Taipei, respectively. China Eastern Airlines explored the possibility of nonstop service to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) in 2016, but that plan has yet to materialize.

Despite Houston's large Asian community and United Airlines' presence at IAH, the airline has never offered direct flights to Greater China from its Houston hub. EVA Air has an advantage since it serves Taiwan and now sponsors the Houston Rockets. The Taiwanese carrier is no stranger to supporting American sports teams: the airline also partners with three MLB teams. EVA Air has found an effective way to expand its North American presence and encourage tourism to Taiwan.

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