EVA Airways has finalised an historic order for up to 24 B787-10 Dreamliners and two B777-300ER aircraft. The order, valued at more than US$8 billion at current list prices, marks the largest single commercial airplane purchase in Taiwan aviation.

“EVA participated in development of the Boeing 777-300ER and became a launch customer in 2005,” said EVA president Austin Cheng. “From that first delivery through today, we operate 22 of these high-performance long-haul aircraft. We believe the future of the airline industry will be built on fuel efficiency and cabin comfort. The new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner’s high fuel efficiency and long-range flying capabilities meets these requirements and our operational needs. These planes will support our growth well into the future.”

EVA Airways continues to modernise its long-haul fleet to replace aging aircraft and plans to grow its fleet to more than 100 aircraft by 2020. The new B787-10 Dreamliners will allow the airline to expand into new markets, Boeing said. They will be deployed on medium-range and long-haul flights and will be operated in tandem with the B777-300ERs to form the backbone of EVA Airways’ fleet.

EVA Airways currently operates more than 40 Boeing aircraft and with today’s order, the airline’s backlog will increase to 37 aircraft, which includes fourteen B777-300ERs, five B777 Freighters and eighteen B787-10s.

EVA Airways’ 777-300ER fleet continues to grow and the carrier is the world’s eighth largest 777-300ER operator in the world and fourth largest in Asia.

EVA Airways becomes the newest Dreamliner customer and will join the B787-10 launch customer team as one of the first airlines in the world to introduce the newest member of the B787 Dreamliner family.

“We are honored to welcome EVA Airways as Boeing’s newest member of the 787-10 Dreamliner launch customer group,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Ray Conner. “For many years, EVA Air has been pushing the boundaries of aviation. Ten years ago, EVA was a launch customer for the 777-300ER. With today’s order, Boeing is proud to continue playing an integral role in revolutionizing Taiwan’s aviation history as EVA becomes one of the first customers around the world to operate the 787-10.”

“The 787-10 will be the third and longest member of the super-efficient 787 family,” Boeing said. “With its greater passenger and cargo capacity, robust range and passenger-pleasing features, the 787-10 will complement EVA’s Boeing widebody fleet while setting a new benchmark for fuel efficiency and operating economics.”