In late August, Taiwan-based China Airways introduced a multi-billion greenback cope with Boeing to resume a part of its vast physique fleet. Boeing has right now introduced that this deal has been finalized, so we even have extra particulars of what we will anticipate.
China Airways changing Airbus A330s with Boeing 787s
China Airways has positioned an order with Boeing for the 787. Particularly, the airline has positioned a agency order for 16 787-9s, to be delivered beginning in 2025. The airline has the choice for an additional eight Boeing 787s, in addition to the choice to transform this order to the upper capability however shorter vary 787-10.
China Airways intends to make use of the 16 Boeing 787-9s to switch its fleet of 18 Airbus A330-300s. These are the vast physique jets that China Airways makes use of for brief and medium haul flights, they usually’re a mean of round 14 years previous (and can be 17+ years previous by the point that 787 deliveries begin).
Whereas the Boeing 787-9 has the vary to function extremely lengthy haul flights, the airline doesn’t intend to make use of the planes that means, so I’d additionally anticipate that the planes will characteristic some kind of a regional configuration.
China Airways is the second Taiwanese airline to order the Boeing 787, as EVA Air has each Boeing 787-9s and 787-10s in its fleet.
How the Boeing 787 suits into China Airways’ fleet
China Airways has undergone a formidable fleet modernization venture lately:
- The airline has changed its Airbus A340s and Boeing 747s with Airbus A350-900s and Boeing 777-300ERs
- The airline is at the moment changing its Boeing 737-800s with Airbus A321neos
- Now the airline will exchange its Airbus A330-300s with Boeing 787-9s
The Boeing 787 is after all a really succesful airplane and a pleasant addition to China Airways’ fleet. Nonetheless I at all times discover it a bit odd when airways order each the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787s. There are synergies from having extra of 1 plane sort, from crew coaching, to upkeep, to plane utilization.
On the similar time, I can admire that these choices are sometimes made independently (since completely different components of the fleet are being changed), and I assume there have been some benefits of going with Boeing right here, whether or not it’s worth, financing, or supply timeline.
Backside line
China Airways has positioned an order for 16 Boeing 787-9s, to be delivered beginning in 2025. These planes can be used to switch current Airbus A330-300s on excessive capability quick and medium haul routes. China Airways is a nice airline to fly with, and it’s good to see the airline finishing the final step of its fleet modernization venture.
What do you make of China Airways ordering the Boeing 787?
