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Carrier takes delivery of first of six 777 freighters amid higher demand for dedicated cargo jets
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Airline becomes 20th operator of the world’s largest and longest range twin-engine freighter
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China Airlines to increase freight capacity and enter new markets with additional 777 freighter deliveries
China Airlines has taken delivery of the first of six Boeing 777 freighters as the national carrier of Taiwan seeks to increase its cargo capacity by 15% next year.
The state-owned airline is now the 20th operator of the 777 freighter, which joins its fleet amid growing demand for dedicated freighters as operators grapple with the impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a release from Boeing.
“Air cargo demand has risen in light of the global pandemic and has played a critical role in maintaining profitability for our airline despite the downturn in passenger traffic,” said China Airlines chairman Hsieh Su-Chien.
“The efficiency and capability of the 777 Freighter enables us to modernize our freighter fleet, while also allowing us to increase capacity and open into new markets.”
The airline aims to increase its cargo capacity by 15% in 2021 and plans to launch the 777 freighter on routes connecting Taipei with North America.
An operator of all-Boeing freighter fleet, China Airlines debuted its new 777 freighter during a ceremony in Taipei to mark the carrier’s 61st anniversary.
The airline is set to take five more 777 freighters as part of an order announced at the 2019 Paris Air Show.
The 777 freighter is the world’s largest and longest range twin-engine freighter. The airplane has a range of 9,200 kilometers and can carry a maximum payload of 102,010 kilograms. The airplane will allow China Airlines to make fewer stops and reduce associated landing fees on long-haul routes, resulting in the lowest trip cost of any large freighter, said Boeing.
The 747 and 777 freighters, both of which make up China Airlines’ freighter fleet, can carry tall and outsized cargo loads on 3-meter tall pallets. This common main-deck pallet height capability enables interchangeable pallets, adding to the versatility of both models.
Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of commercial sales and marketing for Boeing, said the 777 freighter will significantly boost China Airlines’ cargo capabilities and operations as the global air cargo fleet is expected to grow by more than 60% over the next 20 years.
In addition to commercial airplanes, Boeing provides China Airlines with total life cycle support services to streamline parts provisioning and flight and maintenance operations.
The carrier also recently signed an agreement for airplane health management, which tracks real-time airplane information, providing data and decision support tools that allow technicians to quickly and correctly resolve maintenance issues.
China Airlines is owned by Taiwan-based China Airlines Group and operates China Airlines Cargo, a member of SkyTeam Cargo, which operates a fleet of freighter aircraft and manages its parent airline’s cargo-hold capacity.
Photo courtesy of Boeing
