China Airlines is in the decision-making process, choosing between Boeing’s 777X and Airbus’s A350-1000 to replace its current ten 777-300ERs. Kao Shing-Hwang, the airline’s president, shared this update on August 29 but didn’t give any specific timeline for the fleet upgrade.
A Look at the Current Fleet and Future Plans
China Airlines has a diverse fleet that includes seven different types of aircraft, such as A321neo, A330-300s, A350-900s, 737-800s, 747-400Fs, 777-200Fs, and the ten 777-300ERs. These 777-300ERs have an average age of 8.3 years and are leased from various financial groups. The airline also has subsidiaries like Mandarin Airlines and Tigerair Taiwan, which operate additional aircraft like ATR72-600s, A320-200s, and A320neos.
Last year, China Airlines finalized a deal with Boeing for sixteen 787-9s and later firmed up options for eight more, making it a total of 24. Kao mentioned that they’re likely to convert six of these into higher-capacity 787-10s. The final count of either 777Xs or A350s will depend on how many 787-10s they decide to go with.
Challenges and Delays for Boeing’s 777X
The Boeing 777X has faced its share of hurdles. Launched in November 2013, the aircraft has seen multiple delays. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) even denied Boeing permission to proceed with certifying the Boeing 777-9 model in June 2021 due to various concerns. Now, deliveries are expected to start in 2025.
Tigerair Taiwan, a budget carrier subsidiary of China Airlines, recently listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange’s Innovation Board on August 15. This move aims to help the airline raise funds as air travel in Asia starts to recover post-pandemic.
China Airlines is at a crossroads, deciding between Boeing’s delayed 777X and Airbus’s A350-1000 to replace its existing 777-300ER fleet. The airline has a mixed fleet and has already committed to Boeing’s 787-9s, with plans to convert some into 787-10s.
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