Airbus and EVA Air have finalized an agreement for the Taiwanese airline to purchase 18 long-range A350-1000s and 15 single-aisle A321neo aircraft.
EVA Air was reportedly weighing up aircraft made by both Airbus and Boeing before finally deciding on the A350 and A321neo.
News of the deal first came to light in November 2023, after the $10.1 billion deal was confirmed in a filing on the Taiwan Stock Exchange.
“So excited that #EVAAir has chosen the #A350-1000, our #LongRangeLeader, to modernize its long-haul fleet. Adding to this news, the airline has also announced that it will order the #A321neo for its regional routes,” Airbus wrote on November 7, 2023, in a social media post.
So excited that #EVAAir has chosen the #A350-1000, our #LongRangeLeader, to modernise its long-haul fleet. ✈️
— Airbus Newsroom (@AirbusPRESS) November 7, 2023
Adding to this news, the airline has also announced that it will order the #A321neo for its regional routes! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/hkJkRwTv8p
The order with Airbus is a coup for the planemaker with EVA Air’s current long-haul fleet including 32 active Boeing 777-300ERs.
“We have selected the Airbus aircraft following a thorough evaluation of the various models in each market segment. In both size categories we have selected the most modern and fuel-efficient types, that offer the highest levels of passenger comfort. The aircraft also bring significant reductions in carbon emissions, which is in line with our company’s sustainability goals,” Clay Sun, President of EVA Air, said.
Sun added: “For long-range operations the A350-1000 sets new standards in its class and will allow us to offer our passengers the best possible in-flight experience.”
The purchase also includes 15 A321neos, the longest member of Airbus’ renowned A320 family aircraft, which will be used for regional operations.
“This order marks a new phase in our relationship with EVA Air and we thank the airline for its confidence in Airbus. In the long-range market, it’s another major endorsement for the A350-1000 as the natural replacement for previous generation aircraft in the larger widebody size category,” Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales, Commercial Aircraft, said. “We also thank EVA for reaffirming its commitment to the latest generation Airbus single aisle family with its first direct purchase of the A321neo and we look forward to working closely with the airline as it prepares for its new Airbus fleet.”
The A350 is available in two sizes, with the A350-900 typically seating up to 350 passengers in a standard three-class configuration and the larger A350-1000 seating up to 410 passengers.
The A350 family has won more than 1,000 firm orders from 60 customers worldwide, with more than 570 aircraft currently in the fleets of 39 operators, flying primarily on long-haul routes.
In March 2023, EVA Air purchased five Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.