The EVA Air Board of Directors has authorized the purchase of one more Boeing 777 Freighter (B 777F) that is expected to be delivered by the end of 2023. EVA now owns eight of these dedicated freighters and has contracted with Israel Aerospace Industry Corporation (IAI) to convert three of its B 777-300ER passenger jets into cargo aircraft. By 2025, the carrier will have grown its cargo fleet to 12 freighters. The increased capacity will further strengthen EVA Air Cargo’s competitiveness in the airfreight market.

“We continually evaluate passenger and cargo market needs so that we can appropriately increase capacity, meet demand and enhance our risk management capabilities. We also regularly review our fleet composition and develop strategies that will best equip us to secure a competitive edge in these markets,” said EVA President Clay Sun.

“Boeing estimates that the air cargo market will increase at an annual compound growth rate of 4.0 to 4.6% over the next 20 years. By 2040, Boeing forecasts that the global freighter demand will climb by more than 70%. To accommodate this expected airfreight market expansion, our own long-term flight network planning and business demands, we remain on the lookout for the best next-generation freighter,” Sun continued. “Our immediate and long-term goals are the same. We aim to thrive in the booming air cargo markets of today and in the future, sustain the flexible services and unmatched reliability we are known for, and, at the same time, help meet global conservation and environmental goals.”

The B 777F is the world’s largest twin-engine air cargo aircraft. It has a maximum capacity of 106 tons, closely competing with the four-engine B 747-400F that can carry as much as 112 tons. Energy-efficient and environment-friendly, the B 777F performs exceptionally well in range, operating cost and reliability. Fully loaded, it can fly up to 5,000 nautical miles, making it the most popular type of freighter on the market.

EVA equipped its B 777Fs with the same turbo fan engines that power its B777-300ER passenger aircraft. Its B777-300ER flight crews can easily transition to fly the dedicated freighters after training on differences between the aircraft and operations. In addition to its eight B 777Fs, EVA flies 34 B777-300ERs. Consistency in its aircraft models and engines gives the carrier extra flexibility for crew dispatch and elevates maintenance-management efficiencies, leading to operational benefits.