China Airlines (CI, Taipei Taoyuan) is looking at both the A350-1000(F) and the B777-8(F) for its future cargo platform to replace its ageing B747-400FSCDs, President Kao Shing-Hwang told Reuters.
"We plan to continue retiring the B747-400 freighters from service, so new models will still need to be introduced in the future. The B777X and A350F freighters are both candidates for our next freighter, though the decision is still being reviewed," he said.
He did not disclose any details concerning a potential timing or order size.
With Taiwan having implemented strict travel restrictions shortly after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, cargo has become China Airlines' main business over the last two years. In 2021, cargo accounted for over 94% of the carrier's total operating revenue and was a major contributor to its TWD9 billion New Taiwanese dollar (USD300 million) annual net profit. Kao conceded that with the gradual reopening of the island and the return of widebody passenger traffic and its bellyhold capacity, demand for dedicated freighter uplift will dampen. He did not comment on whether that would impact the size of China Airlines' cargo fleet going forward.
The ch-aviation fleets module shows that the Taiwanese airline operates eighteen B747-400FSCDs, which are 18.8 years old on average. Its cargo fleet also comprises four B777-200Fs (1.3 years old on average), with a further six on order.
Kao also confirmed once again that the airline is actively looking to replace its twenty-two A330-300s, but similarly did not offer many details.
