Home>News Center>China
       
 

Airline signs deal to buy 8 Boeing 787 aircraft
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-09-20 09:10

Chinese carrier Hainan Airlines signed a contract for eight Boeing 787 "Dreamliner" aircraft, saying the purchase is part of its plan to become a major international carrier, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The deal is the last stage in an agreement signed in January in which six Chinese airlines pledged to buy a total of 60 of the planes worth 7.2 billion dollars.

Hainan Airlines president Chen Feng said adding the 787 to the current 737 fleet was a strategic plan for the airline to become a world famous carrier.

The airline would receive its first plane before 2008 when China hosts the summer Olympics, Xinhua reported.

Like most of its economy China's aviation industry is booming and it needs more planes to meet heavy demand. Carriers hauled 121 million passengers last year, representing 16 percent annual growth that was twice the world average, according to Chinese statistics.

International financier George Soros owns a 14.8 percent share of Hainan Airlines through American Aviation.

Production of the 787, Boeing's long-distance 217-seater which is touted as more fuel-efficient than other jets, will begin next year. The first flight is expected in 2007.



Taiwan scholar Li Ao arrives in Beijing
Heavy rains in Jinan
Flight competition in Hangzhou
  Today's Top News     Top China News
 

N. Korea agrees to abandon nuclear weapon efforts

 

   
 

PBOC: Economy too much export-driven

 

   
 

UN warned on abuse of intervention right

 

   
 

White House invites China for G-7 talks

 

   
 

China shares rise on restructuring hopes

 

   
 

172 affected in Fujian cholera outbreak

 

   
  China shares rise on restructuring hopes
   
  China approves new GMO cotton to raise output
   
  Starbucks announces $5 million fund in China
   
  Yang Liwei won't be on second manned flight
   
  Li Ao ready for mainland tour
   
  China's new North Korea proposal praised
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  News Talk  
  It is time to prepare for Beijing - 2008  
Advertisement