AEROSPACE

Taiwanese Carrier to Buy Eight 747s: China Airlines said it ordered the jumbo jets from Boeing Co., an order worth $1.4 billion, as the carrier continues its expansion plans. The deal highlights the expanding Asian market for passenger planes. Taiwanese airlines are building up their fleets to capitalize on a government plan to turn Taiwan into an Asian air hub by 2000 and in anticipation of Taiwan lifting its 47-year-old ban on air links with China. China Airlines, Taiwan’s largest carrier, placed a $750-million order for 15 Boeing 737s in December. The airline plans to buy six more wide-body passenger jets by 2000 under its plan to boost its fleet from 41 aircraft to 67 by 2003.