China Airlines (CI, Taipei Taoyuan) says it expects to take delivery of its first A350-900 in July this year ahead of the type's entry into revenue service during the last quarter of the year. Airline Route reports the Taiwanese carrier has tentatively scheduled the twinjet's maiden route as Taipei Taoyuan-Hong Kong International for August 1, 2016.

In total, China Airlines expects to take delivery of four A350s this year, six in 2017, and four in 2018. The A350s will be used to replace the carrier's outgoing fleet of A340-300s.