787-9 to Replace Air-Carrier’s A330-300s

Boeing and China Airlines, the state-owned flag carrier of the People’s Republic of China,  have announced the finalization of an order for up to 24 787 Dreamliners with which the airline intends to contemporaneously expand its passenger and cargo operations.

The deal includes firm orders for 16 787-9 aircraft—the longest-legged and best-selling model of Boeing’s long-range 787 family—and options for eight additional planes. The landmark purchase signals a détente between Boeing and the Chinese government, which has refused deliveries of 737 MAX airliners built for Chinese air-carriers.

China Airlines Chairman Hsieh Su-Chien states: "We are excited to introduce the 787-9 Dreamliner into our operations as we continue to upgrade our fleet with more modern, fuel-efficient airplanes. Adding the state-of-the-art 787 will help us reduce carbon emissions, while also providing our customers with unmatched levels of comfort. Our continuous investment in fleet modernization is the cornerstone of our sustainability efforts. The 787's best-in-class efficiency and low operating costs will allow us to expand our network for years to come."

Mr. Su-Chien’s enthusiasm is echoed by Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing Ihssane Mounir who remarks: "The 787's superior fuel efficiency and range, combined with China Airlines' existing fleet of 777-300ERs, will enable the carrier to grow efficiently and also expand its global route network. This is a milestone order in our continuing partnership with China Airlines, and the market-leading efficiencies of the 787 will play an important role in furthering the airline's sustainability efforts."

By dint of fuel-burn and emissions up to 25% lower than those of legacy airliners, the 787-9 affords operators the lowest per-passenger-mile costs among medium-sized widebody jets. Since entering service in 2011, the 787 family's fuel efficiency, flexibility, and range have enabled global airlines to open more than 325 new nonstop routes and reduce carbon emissions by a combined total of approximately eighty-billion pounds.

Powered by General Electric’s GEnx (General Electric Next-generation) dual rotor, axial flow, high-bypass turbofan jet engine, and featuring a host of environmentally progressive technologies, the 787 family has a noise footprint sixty-percent smaller than previous-generation airplanes of similar capability. In addition, the 787's largely composite, corrosion-resistant structures are well-suited to the warm and humid climates served by Taipei-based China Airlines.

China Airlines’ fleet currently comprises 86 aircraft, including ten 777-300ERs and 12 737-800s. The carrier’s cargo division operates 17 Boeing 747-400F and four 777F freighters. The new 787-9 jets will replace the majority of the airlines’ Airbus A330-300 aircraft.

FMI: www.boeing.com