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Boeing, Plane to share Taiwan's China Airlines traveler jet order, sources say

Taiwan's China Airlines is nearing a decision to split a multibilliondollar order for longdistance passenger jets in between Airbus and Boeing, while an order for freighters hangs in the balance, market sources told Reuters.

The decision will come as the United States' governmental election ended with the Republican politician Donald Trump sweeping back into workplace, and Taiwan keen to guarantee the new U.S. federal government understands Taipei's desire to ensure strong relations continue.

Taiwan's biggest carrier has actually been weighing Boeing's. 777X and the Jet A350-1000 as replacements for its. fleet of 10 Boeing 777-300ERs and to supply capability for future. growth.

The sources said China Airlines might order as numerous as 20. traveler jets to be split equally in between the two airplane giants,. while the option of trucks was at least partially being weighed. against the background of U.S. governmental elections.

Such an offer for the passenger jets would be worth nearly $4. billion after normal market discounts, according to approximated. shipment prices from air travel consultancy Cirium Ascend.

A final decision depends upon the airline company's board, the sources. said.

China Airlines informed Reuters that it prepares its fleet based. on market demand and business developments, and carefully. research studies the pertinent technical and industrial conditions to. choose the most proper aircraft type.

Plane and Boeing decreased remark.

Multibillion-dollar deals for brand-new airplane often need to. take political in addition to company considerations into account -. particularly in the case of Taiwan, provided its international. circumstance and pressure it faces to give in to China's. sovereignty claims, which are rejected by the democratically. elected federal government in Taipei.

The U.S. is Taiwan's essential global backer and. arms provider despite a lack of official diplomatic ties, and. China Airlines' majority owner is the Taiwan government.

Trump's first administration highly supported Taiwan, but. remarks he made on the project path stating the island needed. to spend for Washington's defense and that Taiwan stole U.S. semiconductor service unnerved Taipei.

Taiwan's government promptly congratulated Trump on his. election win and states it is confident of strong ties.

Industry sources say Taiwan has actually generally been seen as. among numerous crucial markets where the diplomatic context can help. to sway a purchase choice one method or another, on top of the. strict technical assessments carried out by airlines.

Last month, however, the airline company's chairman denied it was. facing any political pressure over its fleet decisions.

Hsieh Shih-chien informed press reporters that only China Airlines. itself made the evaluations about which aircraft to purchase.

(source: Reuters)