EVA Air Soars High: Orders Nine Airbus Aircraft in Ambitious Expansion

Taiwanese Airline Fuels Future Growth with Strategic Fleet Upgrade

Taipei, Taiwan – EVA Airways (EVA Air), a prominent international airline based in Taiwan, has solidified its commitment to future growth by placing a firm order for nine new aircraft from Airbus, the European aircraft manufacturer.

The announcement, released by Airbus, detailed that the order comprises six long-range A350-1000s and three single-aisle A321neo aircraft. This order fulfills a commitment made by the airline in March 2025.

This latest agreement will bring EVA Air's total backlog of aircraft to be delivered to 24 A350-1000s and 18 A321neo aircraft, signifying a significant investment in expanding its operational capabilities.

“The new additions to our fleet reaffirm our commitment to sustainable aviation and delivering an exceptional travel experience," stated EVA Air President, Clay Sun (孫嘉明), in an official statement. He further emphasized the benefits of these aircraft, stating, "Both the A350-1000 and A321neo set a high standard in their respective categories, offering remarkable efficiency and comfort to our passengers. As we move forward with our fleet and network expansion plans, we look forward to leveraging the aircraft's extended range and efficiency to strengthen our market position."

The board of EVA Air approved the plan to purchase the nine Airbus aircraft for a total of up to US$3.1 billion during a meeting on March 12.

According to the airline's current schedule, the six A350-1000s are slated for delivery starting in 2031, with the three A321neo aircraft following in 2032.

EVA Air currently operates a fleet of 85 planes, demonstrating its already strong presence in the global aviation market.

Adding to its future fleet, the airline also has eight Boeing 787-9s and five Boeing 787-10s on order, with deliveries expected to conclude by 2029. Furthermore, the delivery of 18 A350-1000s and 15 A321neos, already ordered, will begin in 2027 and 2029, respectively.

The airline industry has benefited greatly from the resurgence of the tourism market in the post-COVID-19 era, which has propelled growth in passenger numbers and revenue.

Reflecting this positive trend, EVA Air reported a record net profit of NT$30.4 billion (US$92.12 million) for 2024, a substantial increase of 31.6 percent year-over-year. Earnings per share also increased to NT$5.37, compared to NT$4.01 in the previous year.

The airline's passenger count in 2024 reached 13.16 million, representing a 16.8 percent increase compared to the previous year. The average load factor, a key industry metric indicating capacity utilization, reached 82.6 percent.