Taiwan’s China Airlines Purchases Ten 777-9 and Four 777-8 Aircraft

Boeing recently revealed that the unidentified customer who had purchased 14 B777X aircraft in March, becoming the program’s 14th customer, was Taiwan’s China Airlines. This brings the 777X backlog to over 500 planes, with its first delivery slated for 2026.

“We value China Airlines’ continued confidence and look forward to delivering the new 777Xs adorned with the beautiful plum blossom livery in the coming years,” expressed Brad McMullen, Boeing’s senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing.

The aerospace giant debuted the 777X program, including the 777-8 and 777-9 variants, in 2013 with a proposed entry into service in 2020. Boeing confidently claimed that it would be the “world’s largest and most efficient twin-engine jet” on the market.

The 777X has, instead, turned out to be a major problem child for the manufacturer. The program has been plagued by lengthy delays that have pushed deliveries back by at least five years. Last August, for example, a component connecting the engine to the wing experienced an issue in-flight that forced Boeing to ground the entire 777-9 fleet.

Despite the slips, the promise of a new, more fuel-efficient Boeing widebody quickly made the 777X a hit for commercial operators. Lufthansa became the trend-setter by placing an order for 34 777-9 airliners in 2013, later dropping it to 20 firm orders and 14 options. Emirates is the largest customer to date, with its purchase history totalling more than 150 777X family aircraft.

In March, Boeing added a 14th customer to its backlog. It was listed as a firm 14-aircraft order by an unidentified buyer until, on May 8, the manufacturer tied the purchase to Taiwan’s China Airlines.

The agreement includes firm orders for 10 777-9 passenger jets and four 777-8 freighter jets. It also gives China Airlines options to purchase five more 777-9s and four more 777-8s. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2029, supposedly following three years after the first 777X delivery to Lufthansa.

FMI: www.boeing.com