Asiana Airlines Acquires Two Boeing 747-400Fs from Taiwan’s China Airlines

Asiana Airlines, based in Seoul Incheon, has finalized the acquisition of two Boeing 747-400 Freighter SCDS from Taiwan’s China Airlines, marking a significant expansion of its cargo fleet. The purchase, valued at approximately KRW 69.65 billion (USD 50.85 million), was disclosed in a regulatory filing with South Korea’s stock exchange.

AMS Aircraft Services, the brokerage firm involved, confirmed the age and details of the aircraft involved in the transaction. The two freighters, 22.77-year-old N132VL (msn 30765) and 21.92-year-old B-18711 (msn 30768), were previously owned by China Airlines. N132VL was sold for no more than USD 25 million with a loss projected at no more than USD 4.37 million, while B-18711 was sold for no more than USD 29 million, expecting a gain of no more than USD 2.2 million. Both aircraft are currently stored at Victorville.

Asiana Airlines stated that the strategic addition of these aircraft is aimed at enhancing punctuality and safety by replacing older models in its cargo fleet. According to the ch-aviation fleets module, Asiana’s existing cargo fleet, excluding these recent acquisitions, averages 27.7 years in age and includes six Boeing 747-400(BDSF)s, four Boeing 747-400FSCDs, and one Boeing 767-300F. The airline had initially planned to lease two additional Boeing 747-400Fs for six years alongside this purchase, but that plan was canceled last April.

The move comes as China Airlines continues to streamline its cargo operations, having recently announced the sale of three other Boeing 747-400FSCDs to Air Atlanta Icelandic. The details of these additional sales are still pending. This acquisition by Asiana underscores its commitment to maintaining a modern and efficient cargo fleet, critical for its operations amid evolving global freight demands.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com