Brent Hannon/TAIPEI
Taiwan's EVA Airways has confirmed its order for up to 15 Boeing 777Xs, in an deal worth around $3 billion.
Firm orders have been placed for seven aircraft - three -200LRs and four of the larger -300ER - plus options on eight more. Deliveries will begin in 2005.
EVA originally placed 777 commitments in 1995, before switching to the Airbus A340-500 in 1997. However, its launch deal for up to12 A340s was dropped a year later, and the airline has now reverted to the Boeing twinjet. The airline has been negotiating a 777X launch order for some time (Flight International 15-21 February) and it follows Japan Airlines in announcing a deal for the new General Electric GE90-powered family, which is due to enter service in late 2003.
EVA chose the new 777 family over the competing Airbus A340-500/600 because it has lower operating costs and is faster, says deputy senior vice president K W Nieh. "It has 22% lower fuel consumption than the competitor, which is a great advantage," says Nieh, adding the aircraft's higher cruise speed "will also shorten travel time".
According to Ray Conner, vice president Asia-Pacific for Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, the 777 flies at Mach .84, while the A340 flies at Mach .82, "which saves half an hour on the flight from Taipei to Los Angeles," he says. Airbus claims the new A340 will cruise at Mach 0.83.
Nieh says EVA will use the 16,400km (8,860nm) range, 250-seat -200LR on non-stop flights from Taipei to Paris, London, New York and the US West Coast, while the 310-seat -300 will be used on regional routes, and possibly to Amsterdam and Vienna. The longer-range 777-300 can carry 30% more belly cargo than the 747-400 - a particular advantage for EVA, which derives more than 40% of its revenue from freight operations.
EVA operates a 35-strong all-Boeing fleet, with another three 747-400Fs due later this year.
Source: Flight International
