EVA Airways, one of Taiwan’s leading international carriers, has decided to spend up to US$1.94 billion to purchase new Boeing aircraft to meet demand for the airline’s global expansion and boost its long-term operations.
In a statement, EVA Air said its board of directors approved a plan on Friday to spend no more than US$1.94 billion to buy four wide-body Boeing 787-9 planes and extend the leases for four Boeing 777-300ER aircraft it operates.
Analysts said Taiwan’s main international carriers — EVA Air, China Airlines and Starlux Airlines — appear upbeat about not only demand for passenger flights, but for cargo services as well amid the artificial intelligence boom as they continue to expand their fleets.
Photo: Taipei Times
The carriers are trying to capitalize more on the transit market, looking in particular at passengers seeking to fly from North America or Europe to Southeast Asia and vice-versa.
The board approved a plan for EVA Air to spend up to US$152 million to upgrade the passenger cabins of six Boeing 777-300ER passenger planes.
EVA Air said the cabin refits are scheduled to begin next year and would bring the number of 777-300ER aircraft undergoing upgrades to 20.
The upgrades are aimed at improving seating in all classes and in-flight entertainment system and cabin environments. The number of business class lie-flat seats would be increased.
EVA Air has a fleet of 89 planes.
Alongside the four Boeing 787-9s EVA Air is planning to buy, the carrier would take delivery of five Boeing 787-9s and four Boeing 787-10s by 2033, 24 Airbus A350-1000s starting in 2027 and 18 Airbus A321neo aircraft starting in 2029.
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