China Airlines

China Airlines
中華航空公司

File:China Airlines logo.png
IATA ICAO Callsign CI CAL 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
Alliance	SkyTeam (joining in late 2008)
Fleet size	68
Destinations	47
Parent company	China Airlines Ltd.
Headquarters	Taipei, Taiwan
Key people	Chao, Ringo Kuo-Shui (Chairman & President)
Website	http://www.china-airlines.com

China Airlines (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 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 many destinations in Asia, Europe, North America and the South Pacific. Because of political obstacles over the establishment of the Three Links, it does not have regularly scheduled flights into mainland China; passengers to and from mainland China must go through a third port. The most popular third port is Hong Kong, followed by Macau while passengers may also fly to Japan or Korea before transferring to a China-bound flight. Its main competitor is EVA Air.

On January 14, 2008 the airline officially announced its intention to join the SkyTeam airline alliance. The airline has actually been in talks to join since the fall of 2007. Entry into the alliance is expected in late 2008.

History

Boeing 737-800

Airbus A340-300X

Boeing 747-400

Before the Chinese Civil War, there were a total of three airlines operating in the Republic of China. One was Civil Air Transport, created by General Claire L. Chennault and Whiting Willauer in 1946. The other two were joint ventures of Pan American World Airways with the ROC government, and Lufthansa with the ROC government. 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 total fleet of 2 PBY Amphibians, China Airlines was established on December 10, 1959 to create an airline with shares completely held by the ROC government, and started operations in 1959. 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 in fact 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 in the Taiwan Stock Exchange.

As the flag carrier for the Republic of China, China Airlines was 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 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 avert the international controversy, China Airlines unveiled the "plum blossom flower" logo, replacing the national flag which had once appeared on the tail-fins and 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 practice. 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 practice. These decisions were instrumental in the company's improved safety record, culminating in the company's recognition by IATA.

Taiwan's political status has been 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 the Haneda Airport until April 18, 2002, when flights were transferred to Narita.

In recent years, some pro-Taiwan independence activists have sought to rename the airline to "Taiwan Airlines", arguing that foreigners in the past have confused this airline with Air China and that "China" is not a representative name for an airline that does not serve scheduled flights to mainland China. In late 2004, President Chen Shui-bian proposed to rename all state-owned enterprises bearing the name "China" to "Taiwan." Many consider his act as desinicization. This was opposed by the Pan-blue coalition. 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]

Destinations

Further information: China Airlines destinations

Fleet

The China Airlines fleet consists of the following aircraft as of August 2007:

China Airlines Fleet

Aircraft	Total	Passengers (First*/Dynasty/Economy)	Routes	Notes
Airbus A330-300	16	313 (36/277)		Dynasty Supreme Class
Airbus A340-300	6	276 (30/246)		Dynasty Supreme Class
Airbus A350-900	(14 orders) (6 options)			Entry into service: 2015 Replacing: Airbus A340
Boeing 737-800	11	158 (8/150) 168 (-/168)		B-16805 is used exclusively for charter flights and does not have winglets.
Boeing 747-400	15	390 (12/64/314) 397 (14/64/319) 411 (18/93/300)
Boeing 747-400F	20

^{*First Class is only available on the Boeing 747-400 aircraft.}

The average China Airlines fleet age is 5.1 years old as of May 31st 2007. China Airlines has the 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. One of the new 747s (B-18210) carries a hybrid of China Airline's plum blossom tail and Boeing's Dreamliner colors design. These were the four last passenger 747-400s to be delivered and produced, and feature the Boeing Signature interior like the 747-400ER and most notably the Boeing 777.

In an interview with Taiwan's Economic Daily, China Airlines' CEO has announced a cabin upgrade of all the Boeing 747-400s in the second half of 2008, costing around $7 billion TWD. The 747-400s will be configured in two configurations, with 6 of the 15 planes in a two class configuration of Dynasty (Business) Class and Economy Class for flights to regional parts of Asia and to Amsterdam, and 9 of the 15 planes in a three class configuration of First Class, Dynasty (Business) Class and Economy Class used for long haul flights to America.

The airline is undergoing a fleet renewal and simplification program. The A300-600R has been replaced with A330-300 and there are plans for a long-haul fleet renewal, but it is not in progress yet. However, twice have analysts and the media preemptively stated that China Airlines intends to order the Boeing 747-8i to replace their older 747-400s and Airbus A340-300s. Both times has China Airlines refuted the claims. Prior to Lufthansa's becoming the launch customer for the 747-8i, it was highly 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 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; however, this report, like the previous 747-8i reports, was quickly rejected by China Airlines. On December 11, 2007, China Airlines signed a letter of intent to purchase 20 Airbus A350-900 to replace their fleet of A340. The A350 will offer 2-class (Business and Economy) service.

Cabin

Dynasty Class Dinner

China Airlines offers four classes of services.

• 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

In-flight entertainment

• PTV is available in Dynasty Class/Dynasty Supreme (Business) and First Class on the A330-300, A340-300, B747-400 (except B-1827X)

• PTV is available in Economy only on the A330-300, A340-300 and selected B747-400 (Tail number B-1821x).

• PTV is not available in Economy on selected B747-400 (Tail number B-18251, B-1820x, B-1827x, N168CL). However, China Airlines is planning to fit PTVs on these older B747-400s by the end of 2008.

• Fantasy Sky is the new inflight entertainment system on the A330-300, A340-300 and selected B747-400 (Tail number B-1821X). Fantasy Sky comes with Audio Video on Demand (AVOD), in-flight video games, as well as aircraft exterior views and is available in all classes.

• DYNASTY is the inflight magazine. It has articles in English, Chinese and Japanese.

• Sky Couch is the Fantasy Sky magazine guide.

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 miles or segments. Elite members have more privileges such as having access to the VIP Lounge, checking more baggage, and upgrading their ticket to a different cabin. Elite memberships last two years.

Codeshare agreements

China Airlines codeshare agreements with the following airlines as of May 2007:

• Air Algerie
• Alitalia
• Delta Air Lines
• Garuda Indonesia
• Korean Air
• Northwest Airlines
• Thai Airways
• Vietnam Airlines

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:

• To John F. Kennedy International Airport: (Approximation of the route: [3])
  • Fort Lee, New Jersey
  • Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey
  • Edison, New Jersey
  • Chinatown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• To Los Angeles International Airport: (Approximation of the route: [4])
  • Monterey Park, California
  • Rowland Heights section of unincorporated Los Angeles County, California
• To San Francisco International Airport: (Approximation of the route: [5])
  • Milpitas, California
  • Cupertino, California
• To George Bush Intercontinental Airport (Approximation of the route: [6]) (Ends after January 29, 2008)
  • New Chinatown, Houston, Texas
  • Sugar Land, Texas

Incidents and accidents

Since 1970, the airline has averaged 3.21 fatal events per million flights [7], while the worldwide average is under 2.0 [8].

• On 1970, August 12, Flight 206, a NAMC YS-11, struck a ridge while landing at Taipei, killing 14 people. This was the first fatal incident the airline had.
• On 1971, November 20, Flight 825, a Caravelle airplane, blew up after a bomb in it exploded, causing the deaths of 25 people over the Penghu Islands.
• On 1982, August 16, A Boeing 747 of China Airlines encountered severe turbulence. Of 292 passengers, two passengers died [9].
• On 1983, August 21, Philippine Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. while disembarking Flight 811 a normal flight from Taipei to Manila, was assassinated by several aviation security men on the tarmac of the Manila International Airport.
• On 1985, February 19, Flight 006, a Boeing 747SP, went out of control, recovered, and made an emergency landing at San Francisco.
• On 1986, February 16, Flight 2265, a Boeing 737, crashed in Makung, Penghu, with 13 killed.
• On 1989, October 26, a China Airlines Boeing 737-209 crashed shortly after takeoff from Hualein, Taiwan. All 54 passengers and crew aboard were killed.
• On 1991, December 29, Flight 358, a Boeing 747 freighter, hit a hillside at Wanli, Taiwan after separation of Nos.3 & 4 engines, killing five people.
• On 1993, November 4, Flight 605, a brand new Boeing 747-400, overran the Kai Tak Airport runway 13 while landing during a typhoon. It touched down more than 2/3 down the runway and was unable to stop before the runway ran out, ending up in the water. All 396 people on board were safely evacuated.
• On 1994, April 26, Flight 140, an Airbus A300 of the airline crashed at Nagoya, Japan, and 264 people died. This accident happened during landing.
• On 1998, February 16, Flight 676, an Airbus A300, crashed during landing in Taipei, killing all 196 aboard and 9 on the ground, including the head of Taiwan Central Bank chief Hsu Yuan-Dong.
• On 1999, August 22, Flight 642, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, crashed while landing at Hong Kong airport during a typhoon. Three people were killed.
• In 2002, Flight 11, an Airbus A340, departed Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, Anchorage, Alaska at night from taxiway Kilo instead of runway 32. The 3 cockpit crew members, 12 cabin crew members, and 237 passengers, were not injured. The airplane was not damaged.
• On 2002, May 25, Flight 611, a Boeing 747-200, broke up in midflight on the way to Hong Kong International Airport in Hong Kong from Chiang Kai-shek International Airport in Taiwan. All of the passengers (206 people) and crew (19 people) on board died.
• On 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.
• On 2007, June 27, China Airlines Flight AE845 bound from Kaoshiung to Hong Kong experienced a 'flameout' in both aircraft (Airbus A330-300) engines. The plane landed safely after avionics restarted the engines automatically. Neither the captain in command nor the crew were fully aware of the flameout .

China Airlines Flight 120, Boeing 737 after fire

• On 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. 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. 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.
• On October 5, 2007, a Boeing 737-800 overran a runway at Saga Airport, Japan. The aircraft, registered B-16805, had a 77 cm crack on the fuselage and was undergoing repairs. The airplane returned to Saga Airport due to speed indicator problems and due to impending bad weather in Taipei due to a typhoon. No passengers were on the flight.
• On December 8, 2007, a door on Flight 008 to Los Angeles suddenly snapped open in mid-air, prompting a return to Taipei. The matter is still under investigation and was not reported on until December 20, 2007.

See also

• List of Taiwanese companies

External links

• China Airlines
• China Airlines Cargo Service
• China Airlines Fleet Age
• China Airlines Fleet Detail
• "China Airlines takes air safety to new levels," Taipei Times