Shanghai-based China Cargo Airlines announced an agreement to incorporate two key Boeing solutions into the carrier’s operations over the coming months. China Cargo’s new 777 Freighters will use Boeing Class 3 Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) to bring advanced computer information delivery and management to the airplanes’ flight decks. Multiple Airplane Health Management (AHM) modules will be deployed on the airline’s new 777 Freighters and current 747-400 Freighter fleet. The airline operates two 747-400ER (Extended Range) Freighters and will introduce six 777 Freighters, with the first delivery expected in the first quarter of 2010.

“We believe that Electronic Flight Bag and Airplane Health Management will bring increased efficiency and a greater awareness of each airplane’s situation and condition to both flight deck and ground-based personnel,” said China Cargo president Zhu Yimin. “This will benefit our customers by improving on-time service while reducing costly delays.”

China Cargo is the first airline in China to operate the Boeing EFB and AHM combination.

The electronic flight bag provides information from airplane systems, flight crews, and cabin crews to the airline’s base operation. The OPT gives pilots the ideal speeds and engine settings for an aircraft, in any weather, on any runway, with any payload, improving efficiency, range and payload. The EDB module allows instant access to the latest information, replacing multiple bulky paper documents and minimising the need for manual updating and revision.

China Cargo Airlines is a joint venture of China Eastern Airlines and China Ocean Shipping and operates dedicated freight services using China Eastern’s route structure. The airline also operates six MD-11 Freighters.