Bosses at China Airlines are reportedly nearing a decision over an order for both Airbus and Boeing long-haul aircraft, according to Reuters.
The Taiwanese flag carrier is understood to be considering buying up to 20 aircraft, split equally between Boeing 777Xs and Airbus A350-1000s.
According to Reuters, industry sources informed the news agency that any multi-million-dollar deal agreed could also include freighter aircraft.
The new modern aircraft would be brought in to replace China Airlines’ existing fleet of 10 Boeing 777-300ERs.
Reports emerged in October 2024, that China Airlines was looking at placing an order for Boeing 777Xs and Airbus A350-1000s, but it appears an agreement is now much closer.
China Airlines has already ordered 24 Boeing 787 Dreamliners (six 787-8s, 18 787-9s) and has a further Airbus A321NX on order to update its regional fleet.
According to ch-aviation, China Airlines’ current active fleet includes 15 A350-900s, 13 A330-300s and nine 737-800s.
Any new long-haul aircraft bought would primarily to be used to strengthen air links operated by the airline between Taipei and US cities already served by China Airlines.
These include New York-JFK (JFK) and San Franciso (SFO) which are both exclusively served by the carrier’s 777-300ERs, plus Los Angeles (LAX), Ontario (California-ONT), and Seattle (SEA) which are all served by either 777s or Airbus A350-900s.
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Looks like China Airlines is making a big step in modernizing their fleet. Replacing 777-300ERs with newer aircraft like the 777X and A350-1000 will help them stay competitive on those long-haul routes to the US