China Airlines will spend over $2bn on 13 Airbus jets, consisting of eight A321neos and five A350-900 aircraft.
Detailed within a stock exchange filing, the airline said it will pay approximately $240 million for five A321neo aircraft, with these jets delivered from Air Lease Corporation. A second batch of three A321neos is still under negotiation, with no price currently set.
The five A350-900s will come at a purchase price of no more than $1.965bn, alternatively costing $1.148bn to rent. China Airlines will use its own funds and bank financing to acquire these five aircraft, the filing said.
The Taiwanese carrier stated that the purpose of these widebodies is to support “long-term operational development needs, enhancing global layout flexibility and competitiveness.”
China Airlines currently operates 15 A350s and 17 A321 aircraft.
Earlier this week China Airlines’ chairman told Reuters that the airline is postponing the retirement of older aircraft due to delays associated with the delivery of new Boeing aircraft. 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.