In an welcome news for Boeing lovers and followers , China Airlines and Boeing revealed that they have finalized an order for up to 24 Boeing B787 Dreamliners, as the flag carrier of the Taiwan (ROC) plans to use the CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic) widebody aircraft to expand its passenger and Freight operations.
The deal includes a firm order for 16 of the longest range 787-9 with options for eight additional jets , a landmark purchase that will enable the airline to meet its long-term sustainability goals.
New Deal comes as a Breather for Boeing in Far East countries after B787 Delivery resumption , as in the month of July , Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post had published that geopolitical tensions between the United States and People's Republic of China (Mainland China) “tipped the balance” in Beijing’s decision to start favouring Airbus over Boeing.
In 2015 , Boeing had welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping in its factory in Everett , but Boeing's 50-year relationship with China’s aviation industry might have received a set back due to "degraded relationship between the two countries" or the unpopular “accident” involving China Eastern Airlines flight MU5735 flying a Boeing 737-800 , that dived to a fatal crash.
Recently , Boeing's setback has turned out to be a blessing for the European Plane maker , as Airbus scored a visible win over Boeing with the news that Xiamen Airlines is switching to Airbus for its fleet growth with an order of 40 A320neo family aircraft , making the airline the newest Airbus customer. Until now the airline, part of the China Southern group, had exclusively flown Boeing aircraft.
The Xiamen Airlines order also came nearly three months after four Chinese airlines – Air China, China Eastern, China Southern and Shenzhen Airlines – placed a bumper order for 292 Airbus planes , worth an estimated US$37 billion.
Apparently , 1959 founded China Airlines and its current Chairman have retained their faith on the reliability Boeing widebody aircraft , whether it's McDonnell Douglas MD-11 , Boeing 767 , Boeing 747 or Boeing 777. This time they have choosen the Dreamliner to renew the fleet , which shows , if not Mainland China , Boeing's market is very much active surrounding it !
"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," said China Airlines Chairman Hsieh Su-Chien."
"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."
Boeing says,
"The best-selling model of the Dreamliner family, the 787-9 will allow China Airlines to operate with the lowest trip cost among medium-sized widebodies, while reducing fuel use and emissions by up to 25% compared to airplanes it replaces. "
"Since entering service in 2011, the 787 family's fuel efficiency, flexibility and range have enabled airlines to open more than 325 new nonstop routes and reduce carbon emissions by 80 billion pounds."
Boeing's senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing — Ihssane Mounir said,
"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."
Earlier in the month , Boeing hinted that it will begin to remarket some 737 MAX aircraft earmarked for Chinese customers, as it cannot wait indefinitely while political tensions between the United States and China afffect the deliveries.
Company's top executives — Chief Executive Dave Calhoun and Chief Financial Officer Brian West , during a Morgan Stanley conference, highlighted the need to remarket some of the planes at separate events , as home country’s trade war with China is bruising its business prospects.
On the need to remarket some of the allocated aircraft , Dave Calhoun said ,
"We'll do it in a very slow way because I want to protect our customers in China but you can't wait forever. You've got to move them and there is a big market."
Calhoun said resuming deliveries in China was critical to Boeing's future, but said the outlook for selling planes to China in the "near term ... a year or two" was negative.
However , Boeing is optimistic about China Airlines , that now has 22 Boeing jets on order, including six 777 Freighters. The airline also currently operates 10 777-300ERs (Extended Range) , which will form a highly efficient widebody fleet and complement its new fleet of B787s.
Picture Credit : Boeing
