China Airlines (CI, Taipei Taoyuan) has placed an incremental order for four B777-200Fs with deliveries scheduled for 2023-2024.
"The B777 Freighter has played a critical role in our efforts to maintain profitability during the pandemic, and these additional airplanes will be an integral part of our long-term growth strategy. We are excited to add more B777 Freighters due to their operational efficiency and reliability," Chairman Hsieh Su-Chien said.
The Taiwanese flag carrier currently operates three B777-200Fs with three more on order from Boeing and due to deliver in 2022 (two) and 2023 (one). With the added four, by 2024, the airline will operate ten B777 freighters. The ch-aviation fleets module shows China Airlines' dedicated freighter fleet also comprises eighteen B747-400FSCDs. While the airline has not converted any of its passenger aircraft into makeshift freighters, it is using them for cargo-only flights to support maindeck freighter operations.
Fuelled by a boom in exports and a lack of passenger capacity, the airline's cargo division posted its best-ever financial result in 2021, with revenue exceeding NTD100 billion Taiwanese new dollars (USD3.6 billion).
