China Airlines, the national carrier of Taiwan, has announced an order worth $11.9 billion for brand new airliners from both Airbus and Boeing.
The order comprises 14 Boeing 777X aircraft (split between the 777-9 and 777-8 Freighter) and ten Airbus A350-1000s.
As one of the largest airlines in the Far East, China Airlines is reportedly using the order to revitalise its existing fleet of widebody jets, with the new aircraft targeted at replacing older Boeing 777-300ER models, as well as bolstering the existing fleet of Airbus A350s.
The carrier, which serves some 102 destinations around the world, is also expanding its cargo business which already utilised the Boeing 747-400F and 777F.
Whilst the airline denies any political pressure in its business decisions, it is thought the order for Boeing’s beleaguered 777X aircraft is at least in part related to the pressure Taiwan is under to maintain strong relations with the United States in the backdrop of strained relations with China itself.
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