China Airlines, the state-owned flag carrier of Taiwan, has finalized an order for 16 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, with an option for eight more aircraft. The news comes almost a month after the companies announced a provisional agreement.
China plans to use the 787-9s to replace its aging Airbus A350 wide-body aircraft, with the aim of significantly reduce emissions long-term.
Combined with the airline’s existing fleet of 777-300ERs, the new planes will help China Airlines to increase efficiency and expand its global route network, Boeing said in a statement published on September 28, 2022.
“This is a milestone order in our continuing partnership with China Airlines, and the market-leading efficiencies of the 787 will play an important role in furthering the airline’s sustainability efforts,” Boeing vice president of commercial sales and marketing, Ihssane Mounir, said.
The manufacturer claims that the 787 family jets have a 60% lower airport noise footprint than planes of previous generations.
“The 787’s revolutionary composite structures resist corrosion and are perfect for operating in warm and humid climates served by Taipei-based China Airlines,” Boeing said.
According to Planespotters.com, China Airlines currently operates a fleet consisting of 91 planes – eight Airbus A321neos, 22 A330-300s, 14 A350-900s, 15 Boeing 737-800 narrow-bodies, 18 Boeing 747-400s, 10 777-300ERs and four 777 freighters.
As of September 2022, the airline has a total of 22 Boeing aircraft on order.