EVA Air
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| EVA Air 長榮航空 |
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|---|---|---|
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| IATA BR |
ICAO EVA |
Callsign EVA |
| Founded | 1989 | |
| Hubs | ||
| Focus cities | ||
| Frequent flyer program | Evergreen Club | |
| Member lounge | Evergreen Lounge | |
| Fleet size | 50 (+8 orders) | |
| Destinations | 45 | |
| Parent company | Evergreen International Corporation | |
| Company slogan | Sharing the World, Flying Together | |
| Headquarters | Taoyuan, Taiwan | |
| Key people | Dr. Chang Yung-Fa (Chairman) | |
| Website: http://www.evaair.com | ||
EVA Airways Corporation (Chinese:長榮航空 Chángróng Hángkōng) is a Taiwanese airline based at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport near Taipei, Taiwan, operating passenger and dedicated cargo services to international destinations in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and North America. An affiliate of shipping conglomerate Evergreen Group,[1] EVA Air is the largest privately owned Taiwanese airline.[2] Its headquarters are located in Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Since its founding in 1989, EVA Air has expanded to include air cargo, airline catering, ground handling, aviation engineering, and tour package services. Its cargo arm, EVA Air Cargo, links with the Evergreen worldwide shipping network on sea and land.[2] Its domestic and regional subsidiary, UNI Airways, operates an extensive intra-Taiwanese shorthaul network. Its main international rival is China Airlines.[2]
EVA Air was one of the first carriers to introduce the premium economy class, which it debuted in 1991.[2] EVA was also the first Taiwanese airline to be accredited by the IATA with the IOSA (IATA Operations Safety Audit) for its safety practices and is ranked as one of the world's safest airlines by AERO International, a German aviation magazine.[3] The official pronunciation of the airline's name is E-V-A Air(ways). The airline's slogan is "Just relax, your home in the air."
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[edit] History
[edit] The launch of EVA Air
In September 1988, during the 20th anniversary celebration of Evergreen Marine Corporation’s founding, company chairman Chang Yung-fa announced his company’s intentions to establish Taiwan’s first private international airline. The opportunity to create a major Taiwanese airline had just arisen following a decision by the Taiwanese government to liberalize the country’s air transportation system.[1][2] However, the Taiwanese government required international experience and substantial financial backing for any company seeking permission for international airline service from Taiwan.[4] Originally to be called Evergreen Airways[5] (but with the Evergreen International designation already taken), EVA Airways Corporation was formally established in March 1989. The new airline placed a US$3.6 billion order for 26 aircraft from Boeing and McDonnell Douglas, including Boeing 747-400 and MD-11 airliners.[5]
Operations began on July 1, 1991 with a small fleet of Boeing 767-300ER aircraft featuring Business and Economy Class seating. Initial destinations from Taipei were Bangkok, Seoul, Jakarta, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. First year revenues reached $40 million.[6]
In 1992, EVA Air launched its first premium economy class, Economy Deluxe (later "Evergreen Deluxe") on its Boeing 747-400 transpacific flights to Los Angeles. Flights to Seattle, New York, Bangkok and Vienna with the B747-400 soon followed. Featuring a 2-4-2 abreast configuration, wider seats with extendable legrests, more legroom, individual seatback video monitors, and enhanced meal services, EVA’s Evergreen Deluxe proved popular with the traveling public.[2][7]
Established as the airline for the local people, EVA Air differentiated its onboard service by using the order of "Taiwanese (Min Nan)–Mandarin–Hakka–English/foreign languages" for its cabin announcements on every flight.[7] This was aimed at attracting elderly Taiwanese passengers who have difficulty speaking Mandarin. However, EVA Air has since switched the order of Min Nan and Mandarin. EVA Air also used Taiwanese folk songs in its boarding music, most notably an orchestral form of "Longing for Spring Wind,"[7] adding a sentimental touch to passengers' journeys. (This practice continues today as part of a wider repertoire of songs performed by the Evergreen Symphonic Orchestra during boarding and disembarkation.)
By 1994, EVA was providing regular service to 22 destinations worldwide, and carrying over 3 million passengers annually.[6] In 1995, EVA posted its first profit on revenues of $1.05 billion.[1][6] Internationally, EVA Air's rapid expansion and success was boosted by its strong safety record, in contrast to its primary competitor, China Airlines.[2] In addition to receiving IOSA (IATA Operations Safety Audit) certification,[8] EVA Air in 1997 became the only Taiwanese airline to achieve simultaneous official ISO 9002 certification in the areas of Passenger, Cargo, and Maintenance Services.
[edit] Expansion of EVA Air
In the mid-90s, EVA Air expanded into the domestic Taiwan market by acquiring shares in Makung International Airlines, followed by Great China Airlines and Taiwan Airways. On July 1, 1998, all three carriers, as well as EVA's existing domestic operations, merged under the UNI Airways title.[2]
In 2000, EVA Air became the launch customer for the Boeing 777-200LR, the longest range airliner in the world. At the same time, the airline ordered four Boeing 777-300ERs.[2] In January 2001, EVA Air ordered its first Airbus aircraft, the A330-200. In 2002, EVA adopted a new livery featuring extensive use of green, covering the aircraft below the window line.
In 2004, EVA Air converted its remaining 8 options for Boeing 777-300ERs into firm orders. The first Boeing 777-300ER entered service as EVA Air's new flagship aircraft in July 2005. EVA Air launched a comprehensive revamp of its cabins, introducing lie-flat seats in its new Premium Laurel business class cabin, and upgrading its premium economy product to the new Elite Class cabin.[9] EVA also introduced a second slogan, "Sharing the World, Flying Together," with the launch of its B777s.
In recent years, EVA Air has grown to include pilot and cabin attendant training facilities, along with its Evergreen Sky Catering and Evergreen Airline Services ground support divisions. EVA Air has partnered with General Electric since 1998 to operate the Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corporation (EGAT), a heavy maintenance and aircraft overhaul service.[10] EGAT provides safety, repair, and refit services for EVA Air and other airlines' aircraft, and has handled the modification of three Boeing 747 Large Cargo Freighter aircraft for Boeing's 787 Dreamliner program.[10] EVA Air also offers travel packages through EVA Air travel services, UNI Holidays, and Evergreen's Evasión travel service, often via Evergreen Laurel Hotels. As of December 2005, EVA Air and its associated divisions have 5,089 employees, and EVA serves over 40 passenger destinations worldwide, with additional cargo destinations.
In 2007, EVA Air announced a nonstop Taipei to New York (Newark) nonstop service, to be operated with its new long-range B777-300ERs. At the same time, the airline withdrew passenger service from Taipei to Paris.
In early 2008, the EVA U.S. business office in El Segundo, California announced a major staff reduction, with over half the staff advised that they would no longer be employed by EVA by May, 2008. Functions performed by those local staffs will first be shifted to Taiwan, some of which (such as reservation call center) will later on be shifted to China.
[edit] EVA Air Cargo
EVA Air Cargo, founded concurrently with the passenger operations of EVA Air, has grown to include facilities in Europe, Asia, and North America, and freighter routes around the world. Its cargo operations have diversified to include transportation of high-tech equipment and special care items such as museum artwork[11] and live zoological specimens. EVA Air has stated its goal of achieving a 50/50 split in revenues between its passenger and cargo operations.[2]
Following the establishment of its A330 fleet and the introduction of B777 long-haul aircraft, the airline converted some of its B747-400 aircraft to freighters to meet cargo market demands. The new B747-400 freighters have a payload of 114 tons with 30 main deck pallets; additional cargo shipment security is provided through a Smoke Detection System. EVA established its “European Cargo Center” in Brussels in 2003[12] and opened its “Southern China Cargo Center” in Hong Kong in 2006.[13]
EVA has 43 weekly cargo flights to London, Vienna, Brussels and US destinations including Los Angeles, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Chicago, Atlanta and New York. The carrier also code-shares with international airlines including Air Nippon (a subsidiary of All Nippon Airways), British Airways World Cargo, Austrian Airlines and Lufthansa Cargo.
In recent years, the airline has focused its North American cargo operations solely on point-to-point routes. By 2008, EVA Air Cargo ranked among the world's top 10 largest air freight companies.[14]
Industry publication Air Cargo World ranked EVA Air Cargo 6th out of 50 in its 2008 Air Cargo Excellence Survey, a measure of cargo service customer service and performance.[15]
[edit] Destinations
- Further information: EVA Air destinations
Most EVA Air flights originate out of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, its main hub near Taipei, Taiwan. Additionally, EVA Air and its domestic subsidiary UNI Air operate numerous flights out of Kaohsiung International Airport. A focus city for EVA Air outside Taiwan is Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, with westerly connections to all its European destinations.
[edit] Fleet
The EVA Air fleet consists of the following aircraft as of October 2007:[16]
| Aircraft | Total | Passengers (Premium Laurel or Super Business/Elite/Economy) |
Routes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A320 | 2 | 150 (12/-/138) | Denpasar | |
| Airbus A330-200 | 11 | 252 (24/-/228) | Auckland, Brisbane, Vienna, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur,Manila, Fukuoka, Jakarta, Surabaya, and Ho Chi Min City | |
| Boeing 747-400 | 4 | 372 (36/56/280) | London, Los Angeles, and Vancouver | |
| Boeing 747-400M (Combi) | 6 | 276 (28/86/162) | San Francisco, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Manila, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Tokyo and Seoul | |
| Boeing 747-400F | 7 | Cargo | ||
| Boeing 777-300ER | 8 (7 orders) |
316 (42/63/211) | London, Seattle, Hong Kong, Seoul, Newark, Bangkok, Macau, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo, Ho Chi Min City, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Los Angeles | |
| McDonnell Douglas MD-90 | 5 | 153 (12/-/141) | Kaohsiung, Macau, Hanoi and Phnom Penh | Exit from Service: 2009 > To Be Returned to Uni Air |
| McDonnell Douglas MD-11F | 9 | Cargo |
[edit] Special liveries
In October 2005, EVA Air launched a campaign with Japanese company Sanrio to create the world's first Hello Kitty Jet, featuring the popular Japanese character. Using the airline's A330-200, the exterior adopted a livery of Hello Kitty characters. A year later, the airline launched a second Hello Kitty Jet. This time the characters are portrayed as EVA Air pilots, cabin crew and ground crew. The interiors of the planes also adopted the Hello Kitty theme, on inflight products such as meals, boarding cards, on board amenities and inflight sales.[17] Both planes were used to serve Japanese destinations. Then, starting from mid-July 2007, the Hello Kitty Jets were arranged to serve Taipei-Hong Kong routes, in addition to the Japanese routes.
EVA Air's third new Boeing 777-300ER was Boeing's center stage at the 2006 Farnborough Airshow in a static display. The aircraft, with its special 777-300ER livery, was leased by Boeing for a week to be presented at the show.
[edit] Future
EVA Air has ordered 15 Boeing 777-300ER, with 8 already delivered. The airline decided against its existing three Boeing 777-200LR orders (stating that with the 777-300ERs it has sufficient passenger capacity), and the 777-200LR orders were converted into 777-300ER orders.[18] According to a February issue of Airliner World, EVA Air later also decided to delay any orders for the Boeing 777 Freighter because of lowered market growth due to increased fuel costs.
[edit] New cabin
EVA Air offers three classes of service on its long haul services: Premium Laurel Class (Business), Elite Class (Premium Economy) and Economy Class. EVA Air's non-refitted Boeing 747-400 Combi aircraft offer Super Business Class (Business), Evergreen Deluxe Class (Premium Economy) and Economy Class. Domestic and short-haul international services flown by EVA Air and Uni Air MD-90 aircraft also feature a short-haul business class.
From the arrival of the sixth Boeing 777-300ER into their fleet, EVA Air has introduced mood lighting into their Premium Laurel and Elite Class Cabins. This system has been designed to replicate the natural light cycle outside of the plane. It also features a twinkling star system (similar to that on Emirates) which represents numerous constellations.
The first refitted Boeing 747-400 (reg. B-16411) came into service on June 16, 2007. All former cabins has been removed and the new Premium Laurel Class, Elite Class and Economy Class cabins have been installed.
[edit] Premium Laurel Class
EVA's new Business Class cabin, Premium Laurel Class, was introduced in 2003 with the A330-200, and expanded to more destinations with the debut of the flagship B777-300ER in 2005 and the refitted Boeing 747.
Seats are pitched at 61" in Premium Laurel and are fully reclinable, converting to an angled lie-flat bed. Premium Laurel features a 2-2-2 abreast arrangement on all available aircraft (as opposed to the typical 2-3-2 arrangement in business class on other airlines' 747s and 777s).
All seats are equipped with 10.4" LCD screens featuring Star Gallery, EVA Air's AVOD (Audio Video on Demand) entertainment system, and Premium Laurel passengers are offered noise cancelling headphones. On long haul 777 flights, a separate bar area features a salad buffet and snacks. On selected flights, the option for special meals prepared by Din Tai Fung is available through their online meal selection service. [1]
Flights operated by non-refitted Boeing 747-400 Combi aircraft have the Super Business Class cabin.
[edit] Elite Class / Evergreen Deluxe
Elite Class (B777-300ER/refitted B747-400) / Evergreen Deluxe Class (B747-400 Combi) is EVA Air's premium economy product.
These seats are in a dedicated cabin, with wider seating and legroom, and a seat similar to short haul business class with an extendable legrest. Seats are in a 2-4-2 arrangement on both the 777 and 747.
On EVA's B777-300ER and refitted B747-400, Elite Class seats also feature an adjustable winged headrest, power outlets for laptops, 8.4" LCD screens with Star Gallery, EVA's AVOD (audio video on demand) entertainment system and noise cancelling headphones.
On the B747-400 Combi, the older Evergreen Deluxe seat features increased legroom and an adjustable legrest like the Elite Class seat and includes personal television, but without AVOD and power outlets.
Service levels in EVA's premium economy cabins are similar to Economy, but food and amenities are improved, along with the seating.
[edit] Economy Class
Economy Class is available on all EVA aircraft. On the A330-200, B777-300ER and refitted B747-400, Economy Class features a new seat design which provides more space. When the seats recline, the bottom cushion moves forward to provide the person in the seat behind more legroom. The new seat design also features adjustable winged headrests. Each seat in EVA's new Economy Class is equipped with Star Gallery, EVA's AVOD (audio video on demand) entertainment system.
The non-refitted B747-400 Combi aircraft feature an older style seat and mainscreen inflight entertainment.
[edit] Catering
EVA Air offers a variety of meals on intercontinental routes, depending on seat class, destination and flight length. Western and Eastern menu selections are typically offered, including seasonal menu selections varied by destination. The new B777-300ER and A330-200 aircraft feature steam ovens, wine coolers, espresso machines, and Noritake tableware.
In addition to Din Tai Fung specialties, Premium Laurel passengers can pre-order special entrees, depending on destination.
[edit] Cabin crew
Since 2003, EVA Air has adopted its current uniform, featuring dark green dresses with cropped jackets. Chief pursers are distinguished by orange highlights, gold bands, and orange stripes; flight attendants feature green trim and white stripes. The current uniform replaced the former green-and-orange necktie ensembles used in EVA Air's first 12 years. [2]
[edit] In-flight entertainment
Star Gallery is EVA Air's new entertainment system available in all classes of service on the A330-200 and B777-300ER. This system features three languages - Chinese, English and Japanese. Audio Video on Demand (AVOD) is available in all classes, with around 40 movies and short features, interactive games, as well as more than 100 music albums. Programs are mainly in Mandarin and English, with additional selections in Japanese, German and French. The system used is the Panasonic Avionics 3000i inflight entertainment system. Additionally, all seats on A330-200 and B777-300ER aircraft feature with satellite phones. Since 2005, customers can send SMS text messages and emails to the ground using their personal handsets and seatback screens.
On non-refitted B747-400s, personal entertainment is available in Evergreen Deluxe and Super Business. An individual satellite telephone system is available on request. Seatback video is not available on the A320s, MD-90s and in Economy Class on non-refitted B747-400s.
On the refitted B747-400s all three classes feature the new "Star Gallery" in-flight entertainment system which provides all passengers with AVOD entertainment. The interface and channel selection is the same in all classes.
VERVE is EVA's inflight magazine and features articles in English, Chinese and Japanese. EVA Air stocks a supply of newspapers and magazine publications on international flights, selection depending on route.
[edit] Evergreen Club
EVA Air's frequent flyer program, Evergreen Club, awards members points based on miles traveled and class of service. Membership into the program is free. The program is divided into four tiers: Green, Silver, Gold, and Diamond. Points are redeemable for upgrades and free tickets. Points can also be accumulated through credit card use, rental car agencies, Evergreen Laurel Hotels, and other participating services. Membership benefits include a dedicated reservation line, Evergreen Lounge access, additional baggage allowance with priority handling, and discounts on car rentals and hotels. Evergreen Club also accepts miles flown on American Airlines and Continental Airlines, provided that the flights are booked and logged according to EVA Air frequent flier rules.[19]
[edit] Codeshare agreements
EVA is not part of an airline alliance but has codeshare arrangements with the following carriers:
- Air Canada
- Air New Zealand
- Air Nippon, Subsidiary of All Nippon Airways
- American Airlines
- Continental Airlines
- US Airways
- Qantas
*Codeshare began with America West Airlines.
EVA also has cargo agreements with British Airways, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, and Air Nippon.
[edit] Incidents
On April 15, 2008, flight BR 901, a UNI Air MD-90 aircraft painted in EVA Air livery took off from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, during which one tire was blown, and the gear door fell off onto the runway. When it approached Kaohsiung International Airport, they circled the airport two times to let the control tower check their wheels. After the plane landed, two more tires blew, and sparks were created by the rim of the wheels. The runway in Kaohsiung International Airport was also damaged in this accident. All of 36 passengers and 7 crew onboard were safe.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Ionides, Nicholas. Evergreen Optimism: EVA Air. Airline Business, May 2002, Vol. 18 Issue 5, p. 76-78.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Thomas, Geoffrey. EVA Air: The Stealth Airline. Air Transport World, June 2003, p. 52-54.
- ^ Sicherheitsbilanz 2006 (Safety record 2006) Aero International, March 2007, p. 93
- ^ ‘’Lloyd’s List,” Evergreen: Evergreen Ambitions Reach for the Skies, August 1994, p. 24-26.
- ^ a b Lev, Michael (1989-10-7). Boeing and McDonnell Get Taiwan Jet Order. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-05-18.
- ^ a b c EVA Airways Corporation -- Company History. International Directory of Company Histories (2007). Retrieved on 2008-05-18.
- ^ a b c Sky rivals vie in hot market for air travel. Taiwan Journal (1996-7-12). Retrieved on 2008-05-18.
- ^ EVA Air IATA IOSA Certification. International Air Transport Association (2008). Retrieved on 2008-05-18.
- ^ EVA to unveil new B777. Travel Weekly, Issue 1789, November 30, 2005, p 61-61.
- ^ a b The world's largest air freighter. (747 Large Cargo Freighter, Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corp.) Logistics Today, October 2006.
- ^ EVA air moves masterpieces from France to Taiwan exhibit. World Trade, January 1, 2002
- ^ EVA Air opens EVA Air Cargo Center Europe in Brussels. Air Transport World, October 1, 2003
- ^ ATW Daily News: EVA Air Southern China Cargo Center. Air Transport World (2006-06-01). Retrieved on 2008-05-18.
- ^ EVA Air corporate brochure 2008
- ^ Air Cargo World's Air Cargo Excellence Survey. Air Cargo World (2008). Retrieved on 2008-05-18.
- ^ "EVA Air Fleet Details"
- ^ Ho, Jessie (2006-10-21). EVA panders to Hello Kitty fans. Taipei Times. Retrieved on 2008-05-25.
- ^ Francis, Leithen (2006-11-21). EVA bolsters cargo with order swap. Flight International. Retrieved on 2008-05-18.
- ^ EVA Air - Evergreen Club Evergreen Club
[edit] External links
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