TAIPEI – Taiwan's flagship carrier China Airlines (CAL) took delivery of its first Boeing 777 cargo jet on Tuesday, and plans to more prominently display Taiwan-related symbols on its fuselage as part of government efforts to more clearly differentiate the country from China, according to Taiwan’s Central News Agency.
The aircraft, the first of six such models ordered by CAL, will reduce the size of the carrier’s name and place it closer to the tail, Minister of Transportation and Communications Lin Chia-lung said earlier.
This design will make room for more Taiwan-related features, he added.
However, CAL has declined to make public its plans to redesign the aircraft livery, saying only that the information would be made available at the proper time.
Discussions on changing CAL’s name were rekindled in mid-April when those who support such a move seized on a European politician mistaking CAL for a Chinese airline when it delivered masks and medical supplies to help European countries combat Covid-19.
Changing the formal name of the country – the Republic of China and removing “China” from the names of national entities have long been favoured by Taiwan’s governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), who argue that it will draw a clearer distinction between Taiwan and China and avoid confusion.
The Legislature passed a resolution in July that asked the executive branch of government to highlight
“Taiwan” on CAL planes, in a way that does not adversely impact Taiwan’s freedom of the air privileges.
The 777 jets are 20% more fuel efficient than CAL 747-400 freighters currently in operation and will allow airlines to be more competitive amid high fuel costs, the company said.
CAL has said it plans to operate the 777 freighters mainly on its European and North American routes, while also replacing some older 747-400s currently in service. – Bernama, December 2, 2020
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