China Airlines Splits $4 Billion Jet Order Between Boeing and Airbus

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Taiwan's China Airlines to Split Major Aircraft Order Between Boeing 777X and Airbus A350

Taiwan's China Airlines is nearing a decision to split a major widebody aircraft order worth approximately $4 billion between Airbus and Boeing, with plans to acquire 20 long-haul passenger jets divided equally between both manufacturers.

The order comes as Donald Trump secures his return to the U.S. presidency, with Taiwan keen to maintain strong diplomatic relations.

Key Points

• The airline is considering 10 Boeing 777X and 10 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft to replace its fleet of Boeing 777-300ERs.
• A separate freighter order remains under consideration, with the decision partially influenced by U.S. political developments.
• The deal requires final approval from China Airlines' board of directors.
• China Airlines currently operates 15 A350-900s and has already ordered 24 Boeing 787 Dreamliners (including both -8 and -9 variants).
• The new aircraft will primarily serve routes between Taipei and U.S. cities like New York-JFK, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

What It Means

This strategic decision reflects the complex interplay between commercial and political considerations in international aviation deals.

While China Airlines says that its fleet decisions are based purely on technical and market requirements, the timing and split nature of the order demonstrates Taiwan's careful balancing act in maintaining strong business relationships with both European and American manufacturers amid sensitive geopolitical dynamics.

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