File photo / photo courtesy of EVA Air

Taipei, Sept. 21 (CNA) EVA Air, one of Taiwan's leading carriers, said on Thursday that it will start operating a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on its Taoyuan-Hong Kong route by the end of October after taking delivery of the plane on Oct. 2.

EVA said the aircraft, which is the first such model to be used in Taiwan's aviation industry, will be configured for 304 passengers in two cabins -- 26 in Royal Laurel Class business and 278 in Economy.

"We have adopted a more modern, globalized design concept and combined it with Boeing's latest aviation technologies to create a luxurious cabin environment and provide all our passengers with an even more comfortable flying experience," said EVA President Clay Sun (孫嘉明).

Following the arrival of the first Boeing 787-9, EVA said, it expects to take delivery of three more by the end of the year.

Once the carrier takes delivery of the second aircraft, EVA said, it will extend the plane's service to Japan.

EVA also said it will obtain its first Boeing 787-10 in the second quarter of next year and plans to be operating a fleet of 24 Boeing 787 Dreamliners by 2022.

(By Lee Hsin-Yin)
Enditem/AW