Starting next year and continuing through 2009, EVA Airways is adding a total of 15 brand-new Boeing B777s to its fleet.  The Taiwan-based airline has exercised an option for eight of the aircraft that was part of a firm June 2000 purchase contract for seven B777s.  The order is valued at US $1.49 billion.

The airline formalized its action with a signing ceremony in Taipei that was hosted by Steve Lin, President, EVA Air and featured Michael J. Cave, Senior Vice President, Airplane Programs, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, and Roger Seager, Vice President, Sales, GE Aircraft Engines. 
 

“Breakthrough technological in the B777-300ER will equip EVA to serve transpacific routes with twin-engine aircraft and mark the beginning of a new era,” said Lin.  “This aircraft advances the industry in flight safety, operating efficiencies, and cabin comforts.  And it meets EVA’s strict requirements”

The initial order was for the purchase of three super-long-range B777-200LRs and four B777-300ERs.  All eight of the aircraft being acquired under the exercised option are B777-300ERs.  The B777-300ER is ideal for service between Taipei – London, Taipei – Paris and Taipei – Newark with large maximum take-off weight of 759,600 pounds.

“EVA is a launch customer for the Boeing Longer-Range 777 family and was a major participant in our premier event at the Farnborough Air Show in 2000.  The capabilities demonstrated by the 777-300ER in flight-test programs exceeded original projections, proved the reliability of today’s jet engines, and showed that airplanes can fly safely on very long routes,” said Cave.  “The B777 is Boeing’s next-generation aircraft and EVA is the largest customer for the aircraft.”

EVA’s B777s will be powered by GE90-115B engines.  By using engines made by GE, the same manufacturer that has equipped all of the aircraft in EVA’s current fleet, the carrier is simplifying maintenance training and operations, making the process easier to manage, and reducing costs.  The GE90-powered 777-300ER was certified by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in March.

“We are honored by EVA’s continued confidence in our products,” said Seager.

The GE90-115B is the largest and most powerful commercial jet engine in the world.  It offers a maximum thrust of 115,000 pounds, the strongest available in a single engine.  By comparison, each of the four
engines on the B747-400 has a thrust power of 57,500 pounds.

EVA and GE Aircraft Engines have a history of working together. EVA was the first carrier in Taiwan to use the manufacturer’s engines.  And in 1998, the airline and GE partnered to establish Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corporation, successfully upgrading aircraft maintenance and engine repair capabilities for the region, and investing in research and development programs to produce new products and spare engine parts.  The new purchase signifies the continuation of a close and mutually rewarding relationship.

Last year, EVA introduced its first Airbus A330-200 with a pace-setting cabin design that immediately won passengers’ praise.  In response to the positive reception to its brand-new concept in cabin comforts, the airline is outfitting its B777s with the same innovative features, including installation of its remarkable state-of-the-art, icon-controlled Audio Video on Demand entertainment system at every seat.  The carrier will give its passengers full benefit of the B777-300ER cabins, the most spacious ever developed, and will configure the aircraft for 316 passengers, seating 42 in Business Class, 63 in Evergreen Deluxe and 211 in Economy.

Due to its advanced design, the B777-300ER, offers practical advantages, too.  It will have lower maintenance costs, be more efficient to operate, and burn less fuel.  In addition, its flight operation system has a reliability rate of 99.38% and Extended Range Operation with Two – Engine Airplane (ETOPS) is 207 minutes.

EVA will deploy the new B777s on long-haul flights to its gateways in Europe and North America.