EVA Air has entered negotiations with Boeing about its remaining 787-10 orders, hinting at a possible deferral or cancellation of some aircraft.
The Star Alliance carrier says it is doing so “in response to changes in market demand and continuous optimisation of…network and fleet”, as a result of depressed travel demand due to the coronavirus outbreak.
“Due to the commercial negotiations, the number and price of the changed aircraft will be announced after the contract is signed,” it discloses, without providing further details. Cirium fleets data indicate the carrier has 15 787-10s on order, with a further six on option. It began operating the 787-10 in 2019, and has five examples in the fleet now.
The carrier in November 2015 finalised its order with Boeing for up to 24 787-10s and two more 777-300ERs. The order value then was more than $8 billion.
In recent weeks, a number of Asia-Pacific carriers have disclosed that they, too, were in discussion with Boeing and Airbus about deferring aircraft deliveries. Singapore Airlines, for instance, is in talks with both airframers to delay delivery and payment.
Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific, meanwhile, said it deferred delivery of A350s by two years, and was in “advanced negotiations” with Boeing about delaying the delivery of the 777-9 widebody.
