China Airlines takes first 777F

China Airlines has taken delivery of its first Boeing 777F, as it sets its sights on expanding its cargo business in the coming year. The aircraft, registered B-18771, is the first of six 777F aircraft China Airlines will operate, with deliveries spanning between 2020 and 2023. It will take delivery of another two 777Fs by January 2021. The carrier will operate the new 777Fs on cargo routes between Taiwan and North America, as well as to Asia, as it hopes to tap into burgeoning demand amid the coronavirus pandemic. China Airlines will use the 777Fs — first ordered in 2019’s Paris air show — to replace its ageing 747-400Fs. Cirium fleets data indicates the carrier to have 18 in operation, and a further two in storage. The carrier also joins compatriot EVA Air as 777F operators, with the latter operating a fleet of five examples, and a further three more on order. China Airlines has doubled down on cargo amid the pandemic, noting that revenue from freighter operations between January and November has grown 83% year on year. The airline is also looking to grow cargo capacity by 15% in 2021.<br/>