China Airlines (CAL) has selected the Airbus Industrie A340-300 over the Boeing 777-200 for its long haul requirement as part of a larger refleeting plan totalling 24 aircraft. It includes orders for additional Boeing 747-400 freighters and 737-800s.
The Taiwanese flag carrier, after a prolonged evaluation, is planning to order seven A340s and take options on another five aircraft. While the government has removed its block on CAL ordering new aircraft, the airline could still face a lengthy approval process, says an official.
Government approval is simultaneously being sought for CAL to purchase 13 747-400Fs and take options on another four aircraft, all of which would be powered by General Electric CF6-80 engines. The deal would also include five 737-800s to supplement eight aircraft in service and seven on order.
According to industry sources, it is intended that the A340 deal would be followed by an order for a similar number of twin-engined A330-300s to fill its 300-seat medium-range aircraft requirement. The aircraft will replace 11 747-200Fs, 12 A300-600s, an A300B4 and possibly five MD-11s.
CAL's decision to opt for the A340 is considered politically bold, given the bad press Airbus received in the wake of two A300-600R crashes at Taipei last year and Nagoya in 1994.
Source: Flight International
