New Taiwanese startup STARLUX Airlines has signed a memorandum of understanding for the purchase of 17 Airbus A350s at the Farnborough International Airshow.

The order consists of five A350-900s and 12 A350-1000s. The A350-900s will be equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB84 engines and will be delivered beginning in late 2021, while the A350-1000s will be powered by Trent XWB97 engines and will be delivered from the third quarter of 2022 onwards.

STARLUX Airlines was founded by Chang Kuo-wei [second from right in photo], former chairman of EVA Air. The carrier plans to launch regional flights across Asia in early 2020 as well as long-haul flights to North America early in 2022.

“As a pilot myself, I personally experienced the test-flight of the A350-1000,” said Chang. “Its outstanding performance really amazed me. The A350XWB is indeed one-of-a-kind in the current market, and perfectly suited for such a geographic location as Taiwan.”

The airline also decided earlier this year to select Airbus for its regional single-aisle fleet and plans to finalize leases for 10 A321neo aircraft from third-party lessors by the end of 2018.