Air China has signed a deal with Boeing for 15 B777-300ER and 30 Next-Generation 737-800 aircraft at the recent Farnborough airshow.
“These airplanes are the most fuel efficient in their classes,” said Kong Dong,chairman of Air China Limited. “The777-300ER will be the backbone of our long-haul international fleet and the new 737-800 will support our hub build-up and our company’s domestic strategy.”
Air China operates international and domestic scheduled passenger and cargo services and will use the airplanes to expand its international and domestic routes. The carrier is based in Beijing, the home of the 2008 Olympic Games,and is the only Chinese airline selectedas a 2008 Beijing Olympics partner. The airline is one of the latest air carriers to become a full member of Star Alliance.
The order is worth approximately US$6.3 billion at average list prices.
To date, 115 customers have ordered more than 4,800 Next-Generation 737s. Boeing has more than 2,200 unfilled orders for the Next-Generation 737 valued at more than US$160 billion at current list prices.