TAIPEI- China Airlines (CI), based in Taipei (TPE), has revised its fleet acquisition plan, reducing previously agreed orders for new aircraft. The update reflects adjustments tied to “strategic factors” while maintaining long-term planning.

The airline has cut back orders for Airbus A350-900 and Airbus A321neo under a previous agreement, while continuing to invest in larger widebody aircraft for future operations.

China Airlines Airbus A350-900 Order Cut

China Airlines had disclosed in June last year that it would acquire 13 aircraft under a previous agreement. This included five A350-900s and eight A321neos.

The airline has now revised this plan. It has reduced the A350-900 order by two aircraft, bringing the total down to three. The A321neo order has been significantly reduced from 8 aircraft to just 2.

China Airlines stated that the revision was made after considering “strategic factors”. The changes apply specifically to the earlier agreement covering these aircraft.

Following the revision, the total acquisition value of the A350-900 aircraft has been reduced to approximately $1.2 billion, down from nearly $2 billion.

This update was disclosed through a filing to the Taiwan stock exchange, confirming the financial impact of the revised agreement.

According to Flight Global, such revisions highlight how airlines are adjusting capital commitments while continuing fleet modernization.

Shift Toward Larger Widebody Aircraft

While reducing its A350-900 commitment, China Airlines is proceeding with plans to introduce larger aircraft. These include the Airbus A350-1000, Boeing 777X, and Boeing 777F.

This reflects a shift in fleet strategy, where the airline is trimming smaller widebody orders while moving toward higher-capacity variants such as the A350-1000.

The airline stated that these aircraft are required for “long-term operational development”.

The A321neo aircraft were originally expected to be supplied by Air Lease Corporation.

With the revised agreement reducing the A321neo order to two aircraft, the scale of this leasing arrangement has also been reduced accordingly.

Long-Term Fleet Planning

China Airlines continues to align its fleet expansion with operational requirements. The latest revision reflects a measured approach to fleet growth while maintaining commitments to future widebody expansion.

The airline’s strategy balances reduced short-term aircraft intake with continued investment in long-haul and high-capacity aircraft.

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