China Airlines (CI, Taipei Taoyuan) has finalized its deal with Boeing to acquire sixteen B787-9s with options for a further eight. The majority state-owned Taiwanese carrier calls the purchase a landmark acquisition that will enable it to meet its long-term sustainability goals. In a provisional announcement in August, they had said they would buy the jets in a transaction that was considered central to cementing the expanding trade ties between Taiwan and the US, but it took a few more weeks to seal the deal.
"We are excited to introduce the 787-9 Dreamliner into our operations as we continue to upgrade our fleet with more modern, fuel-efficient airplanes," said China Airlines Chairman Hsieh Su-Chien. "Our continuous investment in fleet modernization is the cornerstone of our sustainability efforts. The B787's best-in-class efficiency and low operating costs will allow us to expand our network for years to come."
This week's announcement did not specify a delivery timeline but China Airlines has previously said it expects to start receiving the planes in 2025.
China Airlines now has 22 Boeing jets on order, including six B777-200Fs. According to the ch-aviation fleets module, it currently operates ten B777-300ERs, four B777-200Fs, eighteen B747-400FSCDs, and eighteen B737-800s. Balancing out the ledger are eight A321-200NX, twenty-two A330-300s, and fourteen A350-900s.
The incoming B787-9s replace the A330-300s whose average age is now 14.6 years, the oldest of the various China Airlines aircraft sub fleets.
