CAL unable to change delivery schedule

China Airlines Co (中華開發) failed to persuade Boeing and Airbus to delay the delivery of 18 passenger jets by six months because of SARS-related business woes, an airline official said yesterday.

China Airlines had wanted to postpone the deliveries on worries that it would take a long time for the firm to recover from the impact of SARS, which has weighed heavily on tourism and travel in Asia.

But the deliveries will start next year as originally scheduled, said Roger Han (韓梁中), spokesman for the airline.

However, he said, the two aircraft makers have agreed to let the airline defer by six months the advance payment originally scheduled for the second half of this year.

``The planes will be delivered as scheduled, and by postponing the payment we can cut interest costs as well,'' Han said.

The 18 passenger jets are part of a 22-plane package China Airlines ordered last October.

Six are Boeing long-haul B747-400s and 12 are Airbus medium-range A330-300s.

In recent weeks, several regional airlines have announced a restoration of some flights that had been canceled during the height of SARS outbreak.

Han added he isn't too worried that the deliveries can't be delayed.

Boeing confirmed that the timetable for the plane deliveries remains unchanged.