Taiwanese carrier, China Airlines, is set to take flight with ambitious plans to expand its fleet by adding up to 13 new aircraft. According to a recent announcement filed with the Taipei Stock Exchange and published on June 25, 2025, the airline's board of directors has given the green light to this multi-billion-dollar transaction, valued at close to US$2 billion.

The expansion will see China Airlines welcoming five brand-new Airbus A350-900s and eight cutting-edge A321neos to its aircraft family. While the specifics of the deal have yet to be finalized, it is anticipated that at least five of the A321neos will be provided by Aircraft Lease Corporation (ALC). If all goes according to plan, this deal will be in addition to the substantial orders China Airlines placed back in December 2024 with industry giants Airbus and Boeing, which included 10 A350-1000s and 10 B777-9 passenger aircraft. Adding to the mix, the airline also inked a deal for four B777-8F freighters from Boeing, confirming the order in May 2025.

In a strategic move, China Airlines has decided to extend the lifespan of some of its existing aircraft to make up for delays in the delivery of Boeing 787s that were initially ordered during the 2023 Paris Air Show. These 18 B787-9s and 6 B787-10s are part of the carrier's forward-looking strategy to modernize and enhance its operational capabilities.

The aviation landscape in Taiwan is heating up, with major carriers like EVA Air and Starlux Airlines also making significant fleet expansions. In March 2025, EVA Air solidified its commitment to growth by placing an order for six long-range A350-1000s and three single-aisle A321neo aircraft. Not to be left behind, Starlux Airlines is spreading its wings with plans to expand its long-haul network out of Taipei (TPE), recently placing an order for 10 Airbus A350-1000s during the 2025 Paris Air Show.

As these Taiwanese carriers soar to new heights, the future looks bright for the nation's aviation industry, with passengers set to benefit from enhanced services and more travel options in the coming years. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from Pilotcenter.net News as we track the unfolding developments in the aviation world.