CHINA AIRLINES HESITATE BETWEEN A350F AND 777-8F
Taiwanese airline China Airlines is looking hard at the future of its cargo fleet, and says it hesitates between future Airbus A350F and Boeing 777-8F models.
In order to replace its aging fleet of 18 Boeing 747FSCDs (an average of 18.8 years according to Planespotters), the national airline based at Taipei-Taoyuan airport is looking into types whose entry into service is not expected before 2025 for the European launched in July 2021, and before 2027 for the American unveiled last January.
China Airlines Chairman Kao Shing-Hwang told Reuters: “We plan to continue to withdraw B747-400 freighters from service, so new models will still need to be introduced in the future. The B777X and A350F freighters are both candidates for our next freighter, although the decision is still under review.” Without specifying the size of a possible order, nor its timetable.
In addition to the 747s, the SkyTeam alliance company operates four 777Fs out of the ten ordered, as well as ten 777-300ERs on the passenger side, which would make Boeing the favorite for this future choice. But it also operates the 14 A350-900s ordered, as well as 22 A330-300s which should also be replaced relatively quickly.
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