China Airlines is reportedly postponing the retirement of older aircraft due to delays associated with the delivery of new Boeing aircraft, Reuters reported.
The carrier's newly appointed chairman, George Kao, told the media outlet that delays are centred around 787-9 jets and may result in compensation payments from the manufacturer.
The airline intended to replace aging A330s and 737s with new 787-9s and A321neos, but the delays have forced it to keep certain planes in service longer. China Airlines has also ordered 24 Boeing 787s for regional and some longer-distance routes, including 18 787-9s and six of the stretched 787-10 variant.
"We are at present being greatly impacted. Some aircraft that were scheduled to be phased out, or handed back at the end of their lease, as some are leased, will remain and have their leases extended," Kao told Reuters.
The report noted that Boeing has not given China Airlines an exact timeframe for the 787-9 delays, though it has said deliveries will "basically" start from the end of 2025.
Most recently the Taiwanese carrier disclosed an order for 14 777X aircraft on May 8, 2025. A spokesperson for the airline confirmed deliveries are expected to commence in 2030.