EVA Air has taken delivery of its latest fuel-efficient Airbus 321-200 and has marked the move by making it the second aircraft in its fleet to carry the Star Alliance livery.

Taiwan’s leading independent airline joined the international alliance in June.

The new aircraft is also the first in Taiwan to be equipped with fuel-saving Sharklet wingtips.

The aircraft will operate on regional routes, further upgrading passenger comfort on its short-haul and medium-haul flights. 

EVA company officials, including chairman KW Chang, took delivery of the new aircraft in Hamburg.

The aircraft’s Sharklet wingtips enable it to potentially save as much as four per cent in overall fuel burn and reduce CO2 emissions by up to 700 tonnes annually.

The devices are also expected to enhance take-off performance and increase flight range.  Made of lightweight composites, Sharklets on the new A321-200 are 2.4 metres tall.

EVA Air’s remaining A321-200s scheduled for delivery will also be equipped with Sharklets.

The four A321-200s already in its fleet operate on flights from Taiwan to north-east Asia, Hong Kong, Macau, Mainland China and south-east Asia.

EVA chose one of its Boeing 777-300ERs to be the first to carry the Star Alliance livery. This aircraft primarily operates long-haul services to the US and Europe, including its daily service from London-Heathrow to Taipei, via Bangkok. 

EVA is adding seven more Boeing 777-300ERs to its fleet, with deliveries scheduled between April 2014 and June 2016.

With all new aircraft in service, EVA will be operating more than 70 jets.