China Airlines (CI, Taipei Taoyuan) chairman HsiangSun Huang has outlined his airline's planned A350-900 network strategy ahead of their arrival later next year. The Talkairlines blog says HsiangSun told a press conference in Taipei last week that China Airlines would deploy the type on its Taipei Taoyuan-Bangkok Suvarnabhumi-Amsterdam Schiphol service initially with service to Vienna, Rome Fiumicino via Delhi International, and Vancouver International to follow thereafter.

In its second phase, Auckland International via Sydney Kingsford Smith, Auckland via Brisbane International, and Honolulu will roll out. Given the type's extended range, the Taiwanese carrier is also studying new destinations such as London Heathrow, Seattle Tacoma International, and Houston Intercontinental the Chairman added.

Overall, China Airlines will take delivery of its first four A350s from Airbus (AIB, Toulouse Blagnac) during the third quarter of 2016, followed by six in 2017, and four in 2018. The twinjets are replacing China Airlines' outgoing fleet of A340-300s.