China Airlines (CI, Taipei Taoyuan) is deferring retirements of older B737-800s and A330-300s because deliveries of replacement aircraft are delayed. Chairman George Kao told Reuters that Airbus is running behind schedule with A321-200NX deliveries and Boeing may have to pay compensation because of B787-9 delays.
The Taiwanese operator is awaiting delivery of nineteen A321-200NX (including the recently announced batch of eight new leases) and eighteen B787-9s, part of a bigger order book that also includes additional A350-900s, A350-1000s, and B777X. China Airlines already operates 17 of the A321NX, which are gradually replacing older B737-800s in the fleet, while the B787-9s will replace existing A330-300s.
"We are at present being greatly impacted," said Kao. "Some aircraft that were scheduled to be phased out, or handed back at the end of their lease, as some are leased, will remain and have their leases extended."
He said Boeing had "indicated" that the first B787-9s should start ferrying in later this year. The B787 order also includes six B787-10s. China Airlines does not currently operate any B787s. Kao said compensation for late B787s was "written into the contract," adding the caveat that certain delivery delay reasons may let the aircraft manufacturer off the hook.
