China Airlines targets 777 freighter fleet of more than 20

China Airlines is revamping its large-widebody freighter fleet and could grow to more than twenty 777-8Fs and 777Fs after announcing additional orders for both freighter types last week. The new China Airlines widebody fleet will consist of eight 777-8Fs and up to fourteen 777Fs, the Taiwan-based carrier told Cargo Facts . [caption id="attachment_57293393" align="aligncenter" width="1046"] China Airlines now has eight 777-8Fs on order. (Courtesy/Boeing)[/caption] China Airlines doubled its orderbook for Boeing’s new large-widebody production freighter to eight aircraft and added an order for two more 777Fs after it secured board approval on Nov. 26, the carrier said in a filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange that day. The board of directors approved a budget of up to $519 million for each 777-8F and $438 million for each 777F, according to the filing. The four new 777-8Fs are in addition to the initial order for four of the type that China Airlines announced in December 2024. Meanwhile, the airline also intends to purchase or lease two more 777 production freighters, it said in a separate Nov. 26 filing. Boeing’s 777-8F will enter into service in 2029 . The backlog consisted of fifty-nine units for six carriers as of Oct. 30: Thirty-four for Qatar Airways; Ten for Cargolux; Seven for Lufthansa; Four for China Airlines; Two for ANA; and Two for Silk Way West Airlines. Boeing is also finalizing a deal with Korean Air that includes up to eight 777-8Fs . Removing 747-400Fs from service Additionally, China Airlines sold two 747-400Fs to Cargolux for a total of $40 million and is negotiating the sale of two more as it updates its aging fleet and improves operating efficiency, it said in another filing on Nov. 26. China Airlines was one of the largest operators of 747-400Fs, with twenty-one CF6-powered units in service prior to the pandemic. It has removed some quadjets over the past few years but had eight left at the beginning of 2025. Those aircraft range 2007- to 2004-vintage. As part of its fleet renewal, it has also taken delivery of ten new 777Fs . The carrier sold seven production 747-400Fs to three carriers in 2024. Air Atlanta Icelandic acquired three units, while Atlas Air and South Korea-based Asiana Airlines each purchased a pair. The two Asiana 747-400Fs (30765 and 30768) changed ownership in August when AirZeta completed its acquisition of Asiana’s freighter business. Cargolux , which operates a fleet of fourteen 747-8Fs and sixteen 747-400Fs, did not respond to requests for comment. Register here for Cargo Facts ’ free webinar, “Full thrust: Navigating engine challenges in the freighter segment,” on Tuesday, Dec. 2, at 11 a.m. ET. Cargo Facts LATAM 2026, the essential event for stakeholders in Latin America, will take place Feb. 10-12 at the Marquis Reforma in Mexico City. Learn more and register by Dec. 26 to take advantage of early-bird pricing. Cargo Facts Asia 2026, the indispensable event for Asia-Pacific stakeholders, will take place March 23-25 at the W Shanghai. Learn more and register by Feb. 6 to take advantage of early-bird pricing. The inaugural Cargo Facts Routes and Airport Conference will take place April 27-28 at the Marriott Al Forsan Abu Dhabi. Learn more and register by March 13 to take advantage of early-bird pricing.

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