TAIWAN's China Airlines has ordered six 777 freighters from Boeing at a total cost of US$2.1 billion.
The deal comes as the airline is commencing operations from Taipei, Taiwan to North America. It currently operates the B747 freighter, reported Asia Times.
Boeing commercial sales senior vice-president Ihssane Mounir said: 'With this order, China Airlines will join an elite group of global air cargo operators operating the new 777 freighters.
'With the global air freight market forecasted to double over the next 20 years, the 777 freighter's market-leading capabilities and economics will help China Airlines extend its network and grow their future cargo business.'
The B777 freighter is capable of flying trans-Pacific routes with a range of 6,000 nautical miles and can carry 20 per cent extra payload than the B747-400F. It can also accommodate 27 standard pallets on the main deck.
'Air cargo is an important part of our overall business and the introduction of these new 777 freighters will play an integral role in our long-term growth strategy,' said China Airlines chairman Hsieh Su-Chien.
'As we transition our freighter fleet to the 777Fs, this will enable us to deliver world-class services to our customers more efficiently and reliably,' he said.
The company operates 51 Boeing aircraft, which including ten B777-300ERs, 19 next-generation B737s, four B747-400s and 18 B747 freighters.
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The deal comes as the airline is commencing operations from Taipei, Taiwan to North America. It currently operates the B747 freighter, reported Asia Times.
Boeing commercial sales senior vice-president Ihssane Mounir said: 'With this order, China Airlines will join an elite group of global air cargo operators operating the new 777 freighters.
'With the global air freight market forecasted to double over the next 20 years, the 777 freighter's market-leading capabilities and economics will help China Airlines extend its network and grow their future cargo business.'
The B777 freighter is capable of flying trans-Pacific routes with a range of 6,000 nautical miles and can carry 20 per cent extra payload than the B747-400F. It can also accommodate 27 standard pallets on the main deck.
'Air cargo is an important part of our overall business and the introduction of these new 777 freighters will play an integral role in our long-term growth strategy,' said China Airlines chairman Hsieh Su-Chien.
'As we transition our freighter fleet to the 777Fs, this will enable us to deliver world-class services to our customers more efficiently and reliably,' he said.
The company operates 51 Boeing aircraft, which including ten B777-300ERs, 19 next-generation B737s, four B747-400s and 18 B747 freighters.
WORLD SHIPPING