Shih Chien Hsieh was a 40-year veteran of China Airlines before being appointed chairman in 2019. That year at the Paris Air Show, Hsieh announced the order of six new Boeing 777 long-range freighters in preparation for the launch of its Taipei-North America route, a key market for the airline’s long-term growth strategy.　　

As it turned out, the pandemic increased the demand for air cargo. The airline’s regular freighter schedules were increased by 20 per cent and passenger planes were repurposed, using their belly holds and cabin space to carry cargo.

The first 777 freighter was rolled out in December 2020 to coincide with China Airlines’ 61st anniversary. The plane also debuted a modified logo in response to a Taiwan-wide campaign to rebrand the airline to help disassociate it from mainland Chinese airlines.