China Airlines

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Not to be confused with Air China, the national airline of People's Republic of China.
China Airlines
中華航空公司
IATA
CI		 ICAO
CAL		 Callsign
DYNASTY
Founded 1959
Hubs Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport
Focus cities Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport
Hong Kong International Airport
Kaohsiung International Airport
Frequent flyer program Dynasty Flyer
Member lounge Dynasty Lounge
Fleet size 67 (+14 orders, 6 options)
Destinations 47
Parent company China Aviation Development Foundation
Headquarters Taipei, Taiwan
Key people Chao, Ringo Kuo-Shui (Chairman & President)
Website: http://www.china-airlines.com

China Airlines, Limited (Chinese: 中華航空公司 (pinyin: Zhōnghuá Hángkōng gōngsī), commonly abbreviated 華航) is the flag carrier of the Republic of China on Taiwan. The airline is not directly state owned. However, it is owned by the China Aviation Development Foundation (中華航空事業發展基金會) which in turn is owned by the government of the Republic of China. Unlike other state-owned companies in the Republic of China, the chairman of China Airlines does not report to the Legislative Yuan.

The airline, based at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and with headquarters in Taipei, currently flies to destinations in Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania. Due to current politically-motivated prohibitions on the Three Links, the airline do not operate regularly scheduled flights between Taiwan and mainland China. All flights serving this market are thus concentrated at Hong Kong, where it has operated since 1967. It is the airline's most profitable market, generating 13.3% of its NT$121.9 billion (US$ 3.7 billion) revenue in 2006 with over 140 flights flown a week between Taipei, Kaohsiung and Hong Kong[1].

The airline's main domestic competitor is EVA Air. China Airlines is expected to become a full member of SkyTeam in late 2008. Talks between the airline and the alliance started in Fall 2007.[2]

Contents

[edit] History

Boeing 737-800
Boeing 737-800
Airbus A340-300X
Airbus A340-300X
Boeing 747-400
Boeing 747-400

Before the Chinese Civil War, there were three airlines operating in the Republic of China. One was Civil Air Transport, founded by General Claire L. Chennault and Whiting Willauer in 1946. The other two were joint ventures by the ROC government with Pan American World Airways, and Lufthansa. As a result of the Chinese Civil War, the Communist Party of China took control of mainland China, and only Civil Air Transport moved along with the Kuomintang-controlled ROC government to Taiwan.

With a fleet of 2 PBY Amphibians, China Airlines was established on December 16, 1959 with its shares completely held by the ROC government. It was founded by a retired air force officer and initially concentrated on charter flights. During the 1960s, China Airlines was able to establish its first domestic and international routes, and in October 1962, a flight from Taipei to Hualien became the airline's first domestic service. Growth continued and on December 1, 1966, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (then Saigon, South Vietnam), became the airline's first international destination. Trans-Pacific flights to San Francisco were initiated on 2 February 1970.

The next 20 years saw sporadic but far-reaching growth for the company. Routes were opened to Los Angeles, New York, London and Paris, among others (China Airline's first European destination was Amsterdam). Jets were acquired, and China Airlines employed such planes as the Boeing 747 in their fleet. Later, the airline inaugurated its own round-the-world flight : (Taipei-Anchorage-New York - Amsterdam-Dubai-Taipei). 1993 saw China Airlines listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange.

As the flag carrier for the Republic of China, China Airlines has been affected by disputes over the political status of Taiwan, and under pressure from the People's Republic of China was barred from flying into a number of countries maintaining diplomatic relations with the PRC. As a result, in the mid-1990s, China Airlines subsidiary Mandarin Airlines took over some of its international routes e.g. Sydney and Vancouver. Partly as a way to avoid the international controversy, China Airlines unveiled its "plum blossom flower" logo, replacing the national flag which had previously appeared on the tail-fins, and the red-white-blue national colors on the fuselage of its aircraft, from October 7, 1995.

Throughout the 1990s, the airline had the practice of employing many ex-ROC Air Force pilots. Due to the company's poor safety record in the 1990s, China Airlines began to change its pilot recruitment practices. The company also began to actively recruit civilian-trained pilots with proven track records. In addition, the company began recruiting new university graduates as trainees in its own pilot training program. The company also modified its maintenance and operational procedures. These decisions were instrumental in the company's improved safety record, culminating in the company's recognition by the IATA.

Taiwan's political status proved to be a blessing in disguise for China Airlines in Japan. As Japan does not recognize Taiwan's independence, it did not allow China Airlines to use Narita International Airport. Instead China Airlines used Tokyo's domestic Haneda Airport (which is much closer to Tokyo city), until April 18, 2002 , when flights were transferred to Narita.

In recent years, some pro-Taiwan independence activists have sought to rename the airline "Taiwan Airlines", arguing that foreigners have in the past confused the airline with Air China and that "China" is not a representative name for an airline that has no scheduled flights to mainland China. In late 2004, President Chen Shui-bian proposed the renaming of all state-owned enterprises bearing the name "China" to "Taiwan." Many consider his act as one of desinicization. This was opposed by the Pan-blue coalition, the opposition parties in the Taiwan legislature. The airline also voiced concern over its international operations, codeshare agreements and other commercial contracts. [1] The issue was dropped after the 2004 Legislative Yuan election when the pro-Chen Pan-Green Coalition failed to win a majority. In 2007, however, the issue resurfaced with the renaming of several state-owned companies such as Taiwan Post and CPC Corporation, Taiwan. [2]

China Airlines has been reported to be in talks with the SkyTeam airline alliance regarding full membership. While neither the airline nor SkyTeam have made any official announcements, it is expected that China Airlines will join the alliance sometime in 2008. China Airlines would be the alliance's twelfth full member airline.[3]

[edit] Destinations

Further information: China Airlines destinations

[edit] Fleet

The China Airlines fleet consists of the following aircraft as of May 31, 2008:[4]

China Airlines Fleet
Aircraft Total Passengers
(First*/Dynasty/Economy)		 Routes Notes
Airbus A330-300 17 313 (36/277) Dynasty Supreme Class
Airbus A340-300 6 276 (30/246) Dynasty Supreme Class
Exit from service: 2015
Airbus A350-900XWB (14 orders)
(6 options)		 327 (36/291) Entry into service: 2015
Replacing: Airbus A340
Boeing 737-800 11 158 (8/150)
168 (-/168)		 To be transferred to Mandarin Airlines
Boeing 747-400 13 390 (12/64/314)
397 (14/64/319)
Boeing 747-400F 20

*First Class is only available on Boeing 747-400 aircraft.

The average age of the China Airlines fleet is 5.9 years old as of March 31st 2008. China Airlines has the world's largest fleet of Boeing 747-400Fs.

Two of their earliest 747-400s (B-18271 and B-18272) have been given to Boeing and converted to Boeing LCFs for transportation of 787 parts. In return, four new 747-400s were delivered to China Airlines. The livery of one of the new 747s (B-18210) is a combination of the China Airlines plum blossom tail and Boeing's Dreamliner colors design. These were the four last passenger 747-400s to be manufactured and delivered, and feature the Boeing Signature interior in common with the 747-400ER and most notably the Boeing 777.

In an interview with Taiwan's Economic Daily newspaper, China Airlines' CEO announced a cabin upgrade of all the airline's Boeing 747-400s in the second half of 2008, at a cost of around $7 billion Taiwan dollars. The 747-400s will be have two different new configurations, with 6 of the 15 planes in a two class configuration of Dynasty (Business) Class and Economy Class for flights to regional destinations in Asia and to Amsterdam, and the other 9 planes in a three class configuration of First Class, Dynasty (Business) Class and Economy Class for long haul flights to America.

The airline is undergoing a fleet renewal and simplification program. The A300-600R has been replaced with the A330-300 and there are plans for a long-haul fleet renewal. However, analysts and the media have twice preemptively stated that China Airlines intends to order the Boeing 747-8i to replace their older 747-400s and Airbus A340-300s. China Airlines refuted the claims on both occasions. Prior to Lufthansa's becoming the launch customer for the 747-8i, it was strongly speculated that China Airlines could be a possible launch customer. Questioned about the airline's long haul fleet renewal plan, the CEO revealed that one model from Airbus and Boeing will be selected and evaluated, with China Airlines looking at the Airbus A380 and A350 and Boeing's 747-8 and 787. He has specified that the airline will not select the Boeing 777. China Airlines was reported to have decided on 6 Boeing 787s as of July 18th 2007; however, this report, like the previous 747-8i reports, was quickly rejected by the airline. On December 11, 2007, China Airlines signed a letter of intent to purchase 20 Airbus A350-900s to replace their fleet of A340s, and the order was confirmed on January 22, 2008. The A350 will offer 2-class (Business and Economy) service with 327 seats.[5] In addition, the China Airlines CEO revealed that all 737-800s would be transferred to Mandarin Airlines, which would become a larger-scale regional carrier.[6]

[edit] Cabin

Dynasty Class Dinner
Dynasty Class Dinner

China Airlines offers four in-flight classes.

  • First Class - available on the B747-400
  • Dynasty Supreme (Business) Class - available on the A330-300 and the A340-300
  • Dynasty (Business) Class - available on the B737-800 and the B747-400
  • Economy Class

[edit] In-flight entertainment

  • PTV is available in Dynasty Class/Dynasty Supreme (Business) and First Class on the A330-300, A340-300, and B747-400
  • PTV is available in Economy only on the A330-300, A340-300 and selected B747-400s (Tail number B-1821x).
  • PTV is not available in Economy on selected B747-400s (Tail number B-18251, B-1820x, N168CL). However, China Airlines is planning to fit PTVs on these older B747-400s by the end of 2009.
  • Fantasy Sky is the new inflight entertainment system on the A330-300, A340-300 and selected B747-400s (Tail number B-1821X). Fantasy Sky comes with Audio Video on Demand (AVOD) and in-flight video games, as well as aircraft exterior views and is available in all classes.
  • DYNASTY is the China Airlines inflight magazine. It has articles in English, Chinese and Japanese.
  • Sky Couch is the Fantasy Sky magazine guide.

[edit] Dynasty Flyer

Dynasty Flyer is China Airlines' frequent flyer program. The elite tiers are Gold, Emerald, and Paragon. Members can qualify for these elite tiers by earning enough airmiles or segments. Elite members have more privileges such as access to the VIP Lounge, a higher checked baggage allowance, and being able to upgrade their ticket to a different cabin. Elite memberships last two years.

[edit] Codeshare agreements

China Airlines has codeshare agreements with the following airlines as of May 2008:

[edit] Private bus services in the United States

In the United States China Airlines operates private bus services from airports with China Airlines flights to areas that have large Taiwanese American populations.

The services include:

[edit] Incidents and accidents

A CG render of B-18255, the Boeing 747 on China Airlines Flight 611 that disintegrated in mid-air.
A CG render of B-18255, the Boeing 747 on China Airlines Flight 611 that disintegrated in mid-air.

Since 1970, the airline has averaged 3.21 fatal events per million flights [6], while the worldwide average is under 2.0 [7].

  • 1970 August 12, Flight 206, a NAMC YS-11, struck a ridge while landing at Taipei, killing 14 people. This was the airlines' first fatal accident.
  • 1971 November 20, Flight 825, a Caravelle aircraft, blew up after a bomb on it exploded, causing the deaths of 25 people over the Penghu Islands.
  • 1982 August 16, A China Airlines Boeing 747 encountered severe turbulence, resulting in the deaths of 2 of the 292 passengers aboard [8].
  • 1983 August 21, Philippine Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. while disembarking from Flight 811 a regularly scheduled flight from Taipei to Manila, was assassinated by several aviation security men on the tarmac of the Manila International Airport.
  • 1985 February 19, Flight 006, a Boeing 747SP, went out of control, recovered, and made an emergency landing at San Francisco.
  • 1986 February 16, Flight 2265, a Boeing 737, crashed in Makung, Penghu, killing 13.
  • 1989 October 26, a China Airlines Boeing 737-209 crashed shortly after takeoff from Hualien, Taiwan. All 54 passengers and crew aboard were killed.
  • 1991 December 29, Flight 358, a Boeing 747 freighter, hit a hillside at Wanli, Taiwan after separation of its No.3 & 4 engines, killing five people.
  • 1993 November 4, Flight 605, a brand new Boeing 747-400, overran the Kai Tak Airport runway 13 while landing during a typhoon. It had touched down more than 2/3 down the runway and was unable to stop before the end of the runway, finishing up in Hong Kong harbour. All 396 people on board were safely evacuated.
  • 1994 April 26, Flight 140, an Airbus A300, crashed while landing at Nagoya, Japan, killing 264 people.
  • 1998 February 16, Flight 676, an Airbus A300, crashed after erroneously landing on an unlit closed off runway at Chiang Kai-shek International Airport in Taiwan, killing all 196 aboard along with 9 on the ground, including Taiwan Central Bank chief Hsu Yuan-Dong.
  • 1999 August 22, Flight 642, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, flipped over while landing at Hong Kong airport during a typhoon. Three people were killed.
  • 2002, Flight 11, an Airbus A340, departed Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Anchorage, Alaska at night from taxiway Kilo instead of runway 32. The aircraft was not damaged, and no-one was injured.
  • 2002 May 25, Flight 611, a Boeing 747-200, broke up in mid-air on the way to Hong Kong International Airport in Hong Kong from Chiang Kai-shek International Airport in Taiwan. All 206 passengers and 19 crew members died.
  • 2006 July 19, Flight 1682 traveling from Ho Chi Minh City to Taipei, had to make an emergency landing at Kaohsiung International Airport after a Vietnamese-American couple, who were reportedly drunk, attacked flight attendants. The husband broke the inner windowpane in the plane's cabin with his elbow. The noise caused a commotion on the plane, and two Taiwanese attendants who were fluent in Vietnamese tried to calm him down. However, he took a swing at one of the attendants. A male flight attendant was summoned to restrain the heavily built man, while the pilots asked for permission to make an emergency landing, claiming that the plane had been hijacked. The plane landed successfully without incident, and continued to Taipei.
  • 2007 June 27, China Airlines Flight AE845, an A330-300, bound from Kaoshiung to Hong Kong experienced a 'flameout' in both engines. The plane landed safely after avionics restarted the engines automatically. Neither the aircraft's crew nor the passengers were fully aware of the flameout[10].
  • 2007 August 20, China Airlines Flight 120, a Boeing 737-800 inbound from Taipei caught fire shortly after landing at Naha Airport in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. After stopping on the tarmac, the engine started smoking and burning, and later exploded causing the plane to catch fire.[11] A statement from the airline confirmed that all passengers and crew members were safely evacuated, and a ground engineer knocked off his feet by the blast was unhurt.[12] The cause of the explosion has been attributed to a fuel leak caused by a bolt from the right wing slat puncturing the fuel tank.[13]
  • 2007 October 5, a Boeing 737-800 overran a runway at Saga Airport, Japan. The aircraft, registry B-16805, had a 77 cm crack on the fuselage and was undergoing repairs. The airplane had returned to Saga Airport due to problems with one of its airspeed indicators along with impending bad weather in Taipei due to a typhoon. No passengers were on the flight.[14]
  • 2007 December 8, a door on Flight 008 to Los Angeles had loud wind sounds shooting through the door cracks while climbing at 1000 feet, prompting a return to Taipei. An investigation into the matter found that the door had not been closed properly by catering staff.

[edit] References

  1. ^ China Airlines
  2. ^ ATW Daily News
  3. ^ China Airlines Expected To Join The SkyTeam In 2008 (ATW Online: January 14, 2008)
  4. ^ "CAL at a Glance," China Airlines
  5. ^ China Airlines
  6. ^ China Airlines Announces Future Fleet Plans — Civil Aviation Forum | Airliners.net
  7. ^ "Complimentary Bus Service Provided To/From JFK International Airport Terminal One," China Airlines
  8. ^ "Complimentary Bus Service to LAX," China Airlines
  9. ^ "South Bay- SFO Int'l Airport Bus Service," China Airlines
  10. ^ Taipei Times
  11. ^ "China Airlines Boeing 737-800 destroyed by fire", Flight Global, 20/08/2007. Retrieved on 2007-08-20. 
  12. ^ Debby Wu. "165 Safe After Plane Explodes in Japan", The Guardian, August 20, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-08-20. 
  13. ^ Francis, Leithen. "CAL 737-800 that caught fire had punctured fuel tank", Flight Global, 2007-08-24. Retrieved on 2007-08-26. 
  14. ^ VIDEO: CAL 737-800 nearly overruns runway (UPDATED)

[edit] External links

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Airlines of The Republic of China (Taiwan)

Active : China Airlines · Daily Air · EVA Air · Mandarin Airlines · TransAsia Airways · Uni Air

Defunct : see Defunct airlines of Taiwan
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Members of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA)