Carrier Modernizing Its Long-Haul Wide-Body Fleet

China Airlines will lease four new Boeing 777-300ERs from GE Capital Aviation Services Limited (GECAS), the leasing company announced Thursday. The first aircraft is scheduled for delivery in 2014, beginning the modernization of the airline’s long-haul wide-body fleet. All four leased aircraft come from GECAS’ existing order book with Boeing. In November 2011, GECAS announced it will lease four new Airbus A330-300 aircraft to China Airlines. Delivery of the first two aircraft from GECAS’ existing order book with Airbus was in October and December 2012.

“GECAS has been incorporating our global expertise to offer our respectable customer, China Airlines, solutions that meet their operational and financial needs while China Airlines continues to succeed as a flagship carrier in Taiwan and global player of the airline industry,” said Norman Liu, CEO of GECAS. “One of China Airlines’ priority missions is to streamline our fleet and upgrade our service quality. As such, China Airlines extensive fleet renewal program has allowed us the opportunity to upgrade our long haul fleet by selecting the state-of-the-art 777-300ER. Combined with superior passenger comfort, the 777-300ER offers the highest degree of operational flexibility and economy,” said Mr. Huang-Hsiang Sun, President of China Airlines.

In addition to the four A330-300s and four 777-300ERs scheduled for delivery in the next three years, GECAS currently leases eight E190s to Mandarin Airlines, a subsidiary of China Airlines.

Founded in 1959, China Airlines is a full-service flag carrier of Taiwan, operating a fleet of 72 regional and international aircraft to over 112 destinations in 28 countries across Asia and to Oceania, Europe and the U.S.

(File photo)

FMI: www.ge.com