May. 9, 2012 (China Knowledge) - Taiwan-listed EVA Airways Corp, the island's second-largest airline by revenue after China Airlines Ltd, announced yesterday it will purchase three 777-300ER passenger jets from Boeing Co for a combined US$930 million to retire less fuel-efficient aircrafts.

In a statement, EVA Airways said it also leased four aircraft of the same type from GE Capital Aviation Services, adding that delivery of the seven planes would commence Jun. 2014.

The long-haul flights will be used for flights to North America and Europe.

In March, EVA Airways said it had ordered 10 Airbus A321 aircraft and expects the first jet to be delivered around the end of this year.

The Taiwanese airline, which recently joined the Star Alliance, the world's biggest airline group, has started expanding its fleet, as travel across the Taiwan Strait is increasing, sources reported.