China Airlines firms A350-1000 order

Taiwanese carrier China Airlines has firmed its preliminary agreement for 10 Airbus A350-1000s, which it will use for long-haul services to Europe and North America. The airline unveiled the initial agreement in December last year, part of a split order with Boeing. It has not given many details about the A350 order – including the delivery dates – but chair Kao Shing-Hwang says the aircraft will complement its A350-900s and “play a key role in transforming our long-haul operations”. The carrier is updating the cabins of its -900s through a deal which involves interiors specialist Recaro. All A350-1000s are powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines. China Airlines is taking a total of 24 widebodies for the modernisation effort. Alongside the A350-1000s it has opted for 10 Boeing 777-9s and four 777-8 freighters. It has valued the overall agreement at $11.8b.<br/>