EVA Airways Corp. approved the purchase of four Boeing 787-9 aircraft and a sweeping cabin upgrade program in a deal valued at NT$65.8 billion (US$2.1 billion), the Taipei-based carrier said following a board meeting Thursday.
The aircraft acquisition, priced at up to US$1.94 billion, adds to EVA’s existing Dreamliner commitments as Taiwan’s major carriers race to expand capacity. The airline also extended leases on four Boeing 777-300ER jets to bridge delivery gaps amid persistent supply chain constraints affecting global aircraft manufacturers.
EVA allocated an additional US$152 million to retrofit 20 of its 777-300ERs with upgraded cabins, including more premium seating. The renovation reflects surging demand for business and premium economy class, which the carrier said has grown steadily in recent years.
The airline currently operates 89 aircraft and has a pipeline stretching into the next decade: nine 787s due by 2033, 24 Airbus A350-1000s arriving from 2027, and 18 A321neos starting in 2029.
Taiwan’s aviation sector — including EVA, China Airlines, and Starlux — is betting on sustained growth in long-haul passenger traffic and AI-fueled cargo shipments. The carriers see particular opportunity in capturing Southeast Asian connecting passengers as regional travel patterns continue to evolve.
