EVA Air (BR, Taipei Taoyuan) has obtained board authorisation to order a ninth B777-200F, with delivery expected by the end of 2023.

The carrier said in a press release that it selected the B777-200F to "secure a competitive edge in [the cargo] markets" and to capitalise on the projected steady growth in cargo demand. The Taiwanese carrier currently operates eight B777-200Fs, which are 2.5 years of age on average, the ch-aviation fleets module shows. It does not have any other dedicated freighters in the fleet or on order directly from the manufacturer. In March 2022, it announced a commitment with Israel Aerospace Industries to convert three of its B777-300(ER)s (of which it operates 34) into freighters. The deliveries of the B777-300(ER)(SF)s are, however, not scheduled to begin before 2025.

EVA Air President Clay Sun said the carrier continued to look for "the best next-generation freighter" but did not provide any details as to when it would place an order.

As Taiwan remains largely closed for international travel due to COVID-19-related restrictions, the country's airlines have embraced and thrived in the cargo market. EVA Air said that during the first quarter of 2022, it posted a NTD3.35 billion new Taiwanese dollar (USD113 million) profit, its best-ever first-quarter result, with cargo accounting for nearly 85% of the carrier's revenues.

Rival China Airlines (CI, Taipei Taoyuan) operates a cargo fleet of eighteen B747-400FSCDs and four B777-200Fs.