Taiwan’s EVA Air has finalised a firm order with Airbus for the purchase of 18 A350-1000 aircraft, becoming the latest airline to select the type for its future long-haul requirements.

Airbus said the new order is another major endorsement for the A350-1000 as the natural replacement for previous generation aircraft in the larger widebody size category.

The A350 Family has won more than 1,000 firm orders from 60 customers, with now more than 570 aircraft flying primarily on long-haul routes for 39 operators.

As of December 1, EVA Air had 86 aircraft in service. These include 34 Boeing 777-300ER, four 787-9, nine 787-10, nine A330-300 and three A330-200 operating in its medium- and long-haul network. It also has eight 777 freighters, with 1 more of the type to be delivered.

Together with the landmark Airbus order, EVA Air also purchased 15 single-aisle A321neo for its regional network. Initial schedule for delivery was not mentioned in the press release.