China Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320neo family aircraft – an A321neo with Pratt & Whitney GTF engines – on lease from Air Lease Corporation.

The airline ordered 25 firm A320neo family aircraft in 2019, with purchase rights for an additional five. The order included a long-term ‘EngineWise’ agreement for the maintenance of the engines.

In 2020, China Airlines joined Pratt & Whitney’s GTF MRO network, in which it will overhaul GTF engines for A320neo family aircraft.

China Airlines’ SVP Wang Houng said: “We are excited to begin operating this new fleet in partnership with Pratt & Whitney. The highly efficient and eco-friendly GTF engines will help us pave the way to a sustainable future, while providing our passengers with a more comfortable flying experience.”

Air Lease Corporation’s chief executive officer and president John Plueger commented: “Congratulations to China Airlines on their first GTF-powered A321neo. China Airlines and its customers will soon benefit from the capacity and range of the A321neo, the economic and environmental performance of its GTF engines, and the financial flexibility of these leased aircraft.”

Pratt & Whitney’s chief commercial officer Rick Deurloo said: “We are proud to celebrate this milestone with China Airlines. Our relationship began more than 60 years ago, when our Twin Wasp engines powered their fleet of Douglas DC-3 aircraft. We thank China Airlines and ALC for their continued trust in the engine that has been pioneering the future of commercial aviation.”