The FINANCIAL — EVA Air signed purchase agreements for five Boeing 777 freighters powered by GE90 engines in a signing ceremony with Boeing and GE officials today in Taipei. EVA Chairman K.W. Chang witnessed the signing by the airline’s president, Austin Cheng, Boeing Commercial Airplanes Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing John Wojick and GE Aviation Vice President and General Manager in charge of Global Sales and Marketing Chaker Chahrour. EVA will take delivery of the first freighter in October 2017 and have all five in operation by September 2019.
“Airfreight is an important link in global trade,” EVA Air Chairman K.W. Chang said. “We are investing in the most advanced aircraft and committing ourselves to continuing to ensure efficient, reliable service. Quality service and flight safety are our top priorities at EVA and we apply the same high standards to cargo services. We are determined to make EVA the world’s best airline for both passenger and cargo services. We are pleased to be the first airline in Taiwan to introduce Boeing 777 freighters,” EVA President Austin Cheng said in his remarks.”
“EVA participated in development of the Boeing 777-300ER and became a launch customer. We now fly 21 Boeing 777-300ERs and have 13 more on order. We have made the right choice as our experience with this aircraft’s advanced technology and excellent performance indicates what we can expect from the Boeing 777 freighters. These freighters will be the backbone of our air cargo service for the next decade.”
“As EVA Air continues to modernize their world-class freighter fleet, we are honored that they have selected the 777 Freighter to maintain their position as one of the largest cargo airlines,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner. “This order further validates the strength of the long-term partnership between EVA Air and Boeing over the last several decades.”
“We are so pleased to see EVA expand its fleet with GE90-115B-powered Boeing 777 freighters,” said Chaker Chahrour, Vice President and General Manager of Global Sales & Marketing at GE Aviation. “We have delivered more than 2,000 GE90 engines to 70 operators around the world. This engine/aircraft combination has proved its performance and reliability as the most successful long-range widebody in service today.”
EVA’s new Boeing 777 freighters will carry as much as a 102-ton payload. The aircraft will be powered by the same GE90-115B engines the carriers uses for its Boeing 777-300ERs. By choosing the same engines, EVA will enhance maintenance efficiency and reduce costs. The carrier will also benefit from the Boeing 777 family’s fuel efficiency and environmental advantages. In comparison with the Boeing 747-400 freighters it is operating now, Boeing 777 freighters can reduce fuel consumption by 25%.
EVA currently operates a fleet of 71 aircrafts, including eight 747-400 freighters and six MD-11 freighters. As the new Boeing 777 freighters are delivered, they will be put to work on trans-Pacific and Asian routes, gradually replacing the existing freighter fleet. EVA’s air cargo network covers 64 cities around the globe, including 7 destinations served by 44 freighter flights per week, according to EVA Airways.
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