Pratt & Whitney's first GTF engine induction at China Airlines

Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, announced this week that China Airlines has inducted its first Pratt & Whitney GTF engine. China Airlines joined the GTF MRO network in 2020, with its Engineering and Maintenance organization providing disassembly, assembly and test capability for the PW1100G-JM engine, the GTF model that powers Airbus A320neo family aircraft.

Pratt & Whitney and China Airlines Announce First GTF Engine Induction

In 2019, China Airlines selected the GTF engine to power 25 Airbus A321neo aircraft, along with an EngineWise® Maintenance long-term agreement for engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO). The airline currently operates 10 of these aircraft, with up to an additional 15 on order.

"With the induction of our first GTF engine, we continue to build upon our longstanding relationship with Pratt & Whitney," said Jung-Hui Lee, vice president at China Airlines, at the celebratory ceremony at its Taiwan-based facility today. "The GTF engine is one of the industry's most fuel-efficient engines and we're confident that it will pave the way towards a more sustainable future. We look forward to growing our capabilities with today's most advanced technology to be ready to meet the needs of current and future operators, many of them here in Asia."

"We are aggressively pursuing strategic collaborations to grow GTF MRO network capabilities," said Marc Meredith, vice president, GTF Engines Aftermarket at Pratt & Whitney. "Our relationship with China Airlines dates back more than six decades, when they began operating aircraft powered by our Twin Wasp engines."

In 2023, Pratt & Whitney announced three facility expansions and three shop activations across the GTF MRO network, which has more than doubled in size in four years. By 2025, the company expects to have 19 GTF MRO shops online. China Airlines marks the 14th active location and sixth in Asia-Pacific for PW1100G-JM overhaul overhaul, alongside Eagle Services Asia (ESA) in Singapore, IHI and MHI in Japan, and MTU Maintenance Zhuhai and Ameco Beijing in China.

China Airlines selects IBS Software's iCargo platform to modernise its cargo operations

                       IBS Software, a global leader of SaaS solutions to the travel and cargo industry, has signed an agreement with China Airlines (CI), the leading Taiwanese carrier, to deploy IBS Software's iCargo solution as its new cargo management system. The aim is to facilitate CI's cargo digitization through iCargo's single platform to maximize the synergies across different entities and transform its cargo business globally.

With the new IBS Software platform, China Airlines will transition from their existing cargo system to a new single platform which includes sales, import and export operations, air mail handling and revenue accounting capabilities. It provides optimally automated digital technology for maximum efficiency and opportunities for sales management.

"China Airlines cargo has been endeavouring to modernize our digital capabilities for years. However, we see the evolutional change in digital sales and operations since COVID, and I believed SaaS is the right solution we are looking for," said Eddy Liu, Senior Vice President of Cargo, China Airlines. "We expect to build up a strong partnership with IBS Software and to realize faster time-to-market for our products and services without compromising compliance of data integrity."

"As a pioneer of APAC air cargo market and one of the heavyweight cargo players, China Airlines has extensive experience transporting special cargo and remains the carrier of choice for international transportation partners. We're honoured to be selected by China Airlines to support its growth journey," said Gautam Shekar, SVP and Region Head APAC and Middle East at IBS Software. "This agreement aligns with IBS Software's long-term strategy to further expand our presence in the exciting APAC market and help local customers modernise and add value to their cargo proposition."

China Airlines, the Taiwan-based carrier, was established in 1959 and has more than 10,000 employees worldwide. The China Airlines Group now operates a fleet of 112 aircraft, which includes 17 Boeing 747-400 and 5 Boeing 777 freighters. As a pioneer of APAC air cargo market, CI has extensive experience transporting special cargo such as precious relics, precision instruments, vehicles, large machinery, aerospace materials, artworks, and live animals. Well-known local and foreign companies have all made CI their preferred carrier for the transportation and transit of instruments and machinery. During the pandemic, CI quickly adopted a "prioritize cargo" business strategy to make the most use of freighter capacity and utilize the belly cargo holds of passenger aircraft utilized and assisted in delivering outstanding results.  In recent years, China Airlines has received major awards, including: Air Cargo World's Air Cargo Excellence Award and Air Cargo Executive of the Year Award; being named the "Best Cargo Airline - Asia" by Air Cargo News magazine.

China Airlines signs order for up to 24 Boeing 787 Dreamliners

Photo Boeing

Boeing and China Airlines announced they have finalized an order for up to 24 787 Dreamliners, as the carrier invests in the fuel-efficient widebody to expand passenger and cargo 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.

"We are excited to introduce the 787-9 Dreamliner into our operations as we continue to upgrade our fleet with more modern, fuel-efficient aeroplanes. 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."

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 the aeroplanes 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.

China Airlines says farewell to the “Queen of the Skies” - bye bye 747....

The Taiwan-based carrier China Airlines is retiring its fleet of Boeing 747-400 passenger aircraft from regular passenger service. It marked the end of an era with a special farewell “Queen of the Skies” flight and party.

China Airlines, aircraft no. B-18215, was the last Boeing 747 to be delivered to the carrier in 2005 was assigned to fly the special flight CI-2747 over the weekend. The carrier opened check-in for the one-off celebration flight at 7:47 a.m. followed by an exclusive ground-side tour and then a tour of each cabin class aboard the 747 passenger aircraft as well as a super-sized capsule vending machine for 747 peripherals. A one-of-a-kind 747 photo booth was also set up on the day.   

 

Six new Airbus A321neo aircraft for China Airlines

Air Lease Corporation announced long-term lease agreements with China Airlines (Taiwan) for six new Airbus A321neo aircraft. The aircraft will deliver to the airline beginning in 2021 through 2022 from ALC’s order book with Airbus.

"We are honoured to have been chosen by China Airlines to provide their first six new A321neos in their single-aisle fleet transformation,” said John L. Plueger, Chief Executive Officer and President of Air Lease Corporation. “The A321neo will provide significantly expanded capabilities which will benefit China Airlines and its passengers far into the future."

China Airlines agrees order for six 777 freighters

China Airlines to modernise its freighter fleet 

China Airlines has finalised its agreement with the aircraft giant Boeing on an order for six 777 Freighters which it seeks to modernise its cargo fleet with.

The deal has a list price of $2.1 billion, but a true reflection of the price is less than half that amount according to China Airlines staff and was first announced at the Paris Air Show back in June this year. 

China Airlines selects the A321neo for its future single aisle fleet

Taiwan’s China Airlines (CAL) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for 11 A321neo aircraft and will acquire another 14 aircraft of the type on lease. CAL has selected the A321neo to meet future requirements in the single-aisle category.

These 25 aircraft will join the Airbus fleet at the airline currently comprising 23 A330s and 14 A350 XWBs.

The latest Airbus A350-900 for China Airlines gets special hybrid livery.

The latest airline to take delivery of an Airbus A350-900 is Taiwan’s China Airlines (CAL) which have adorned its latest news arrival with a new special unique joint livery that combines the airline’s distinctive plum blossom logo with Airbus’ exclusive A350 XWB carbon fibre pattern.

Following this delivery, China Airlines now has 14 A350-900 aircraft in its fleet which it uses on its non-stop long-haul routes, including services from Taipei to Europe and North America as well on selected routes in the Asia-Pacific region.

Since entry into service in 2015, the A350 XWB has established itself as the new long-range leader in the larger twin-aisle category. Over 200 aircraft are already in service with 22 airlines, flying primarily on long-haul routes.

At the end of September 2018, Airbus had recorded a total of 890 firm orders for the A350 XWB from 46 customers worldwide, already making it one of the most successful widebody aircraft programmes ever.

Innovations introduced with the A350 XWB Family include the latest aerodynamic design, carbon fibre fuselage and wings, plus new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines. Together, these features translate into unrivalled levels of operational efficiency, with a 25 per cent reduction in fuel consumption compared with older generation aircraft of the same size, as well as significantly lower maintenance costs.

Ontario welcomes China Airlines Taiwan service

The historic event was more than a year in the making. Local officials visited Taiwan and China Airlines executives visited Ontario. Negotiations were held and information was exchanged. Agreements were signed between airports and local governments. Flight schedules were announced and, when customer demand was even stronger than anticipated, expanded.

China Airlines sees Ontario as 

Southern California's new gateway to Asia

With all the pieces in place, Ontario International Airport (ONT) welcomed the arrival of China Airlines #CI24 from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) yesterday, marking the start of Ontario's first non-stop, transoceanic passenger service.

China Airlines now planning daily service between Ontario and Taiwan

Prompted by strong customer demand, China Airlines has expanded its bookings between Taiwan and Ontario International Airport (ONT) to seven days a week in anticipation of the scheduled March 25 launch of service.
When China Airlines announced in September that it would initiate service between ONT and Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), the plan was to fly the non-stop route four days a week. However, customer demand has been so strong that the airline has expanded its bookings – two months before the first scheduled flight.
"We are most grateful to China Airlines and its chairman, Nuan-Hsuan Ho, for their confidence in our airport, employees and community neighbours," said Alan D. Wapner, president of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA).
"That China Airlines is increasing service before a single flight has lifted off is both uncommon and a testament to the high value of travel between Taiwan and Ontario."
TPE is the primary International gateway airport for the New Taipei–Keelung–Taoyuan City metro area, with more than 9 million residents, while ONT is the closest and most convenient international gateway airport for more than 10 million Southern California residents in the Inland Empire, northern Orange County, and eastern Los Angeles County.

Airbus deliver an A350-900 to China Airlines using biofuel

China Airlines of Taiwan has become only the second airline to join a programme to use a blend of traditional and sustainable biofuels to power aircraft for delivery flights from Airbus. 

The aircraft involved is the tenth A350-900 for China Airlines, which left the manufacturer’s delivery centre in Toulouse today for its new home in Taipei with a 10 percent blend of sustainable jet fuel in its tanks.

The sustainable fuel option for delivery flights has been developed by Airbus in association with Air Total, the aviation subsidiary of the global energy operator. In order to stock the eco-friendly product, Air Total has installed the first ever biofuel station adjacent to the Airbus delivery centre in Toulouse. A total of 21 aircraft have so far been delivered by Airbus since the facility was inaugurated in May 2016.

“China Airlines is proud to have taken delivery of its first aircraft to be partially powered by sustainable biofuel,” China Airlines Chairman Ho, Nuan-Hsuan said.  “This reflects our clear commitment to reduce the impact of aviation on the environment and to be among those airlines leading the way to use alternative fuel sources. With the A350 XWB in our fleet we are already significantly reducing our carbon footprint and we are excited that this can be extended even further with the use of new biofuels.”

China Airlines Return To London Gatwick

China Airlines are returning to London Gatwick after a break of five years the airline has confirmed today.  

Flights will resume between Gatwick and Taipei from the 1st December and China Airlines promise onward connections to Australia and beyond. 

The non-stop flights will be operated by a brand new state-of-the-art Airbus A350 configured for 306 passengers spread over three classes. “We’re incredibly excited to be returning to the UK this year, making travel between the UK and Taiwan that much more simple and accessible,” says Roger Han, China Airlines’ senior vice president Europe. “By offering the only non-stop service between these two countries, we hope to welcome travellers who may not have considered Taiwan as their first outbound destination previously. Furthermore, our route network offers a wonderful array of destinations throughout Asia or onward to Australia for British travellers to enjoy.”

The schedule for the new link will see the technologically advanced jet depart Taipei at 0930 on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday landing at Gatwick at 1530. Whilst a Friday flight will depart Taipei at the slightly earlier time of 0855 and arrive around 1455.

On the way back, flights are scheduled to depart Gatwick at 21.15, landing back in Taiwan at 1830 local time the following day.  

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China Airlines will introduce non-stop direct flights between Taipei and Ontario (ONT), California, from Spring 2018.  The airline will use a Boeing 777-300ER on the route four times a week and give passengers a much greater choice when travelling to and from California.

Traffic demand between the Asia-Pacific region and the US. is forecast to grow by 6.1% per year so the new route has strong potential for China Airlines and should foster closer ties between Taiwan and the US. This new route will also save passengers a good deal of time when heading for the incredibly popular coastal tourist destination of San Diego.