Latest News

Taiwan's China Airlines will boost its fleet with Airbus Jets worth over $2 billion

China Airlines, a Taiwanese airline, said that it would spend over $2 billion on Airbus aircraft, including five A350-900 jets for long-haul routes and eight A321neos for medium- and short-haul flights. In the middle of a fleet upgrade, China Airlines split an order worth nearly $12 billion in list prices for new long-haul planes between Boeing and European rival Airbus last year.

China Airlines announced to the Taiwan Stock Exchange that Air Leasing Corporation would provide five A321 aircraft at a cost $240 million. Negotiations are ongoing for the remaining three aircraft.

The A350s are expected to cost less than $1.965billion, or $1.148billion if they were leased, according to the airline, without giving any further details.

China Airlines chairman said this week the company would delay retirement of older aircraft due to delays in delivery of previously ordered Boeing 787-9 jets.

The airline has already received 15 A350-900s and is expecting to receive its 18th A321 soon. (Reporting and editing by David Goodman.)

(source: Reuters)