Largest 737 Variant In Airline's Fleet

Last week, Boeing, Xiamen Airlines and GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS) celebrated the delivery of the airline's first Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 commercial jetliner.

The newly delivered 737-800, configured for 170 passengers, is the largest 737 variant in Xiamen's 737 fleet and will be used on the airline's longer-range routes. The airplane is equipped with increasingly-commonplace Blended Winglets.

The 737-800 is the first of five Xiamen is taking on lease from GECAS.

"These 737-800s will provide excellent reliability and efficiency, which will enable a profitable operation as quickly as possible," said Yang Guanghua, president of Xiamen Airlines.

"We are especially pleased to partner with Xiamen Airlines in the introduction of a new era of airline service to its expanding fleet," said Rob Laird, Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president - China Sales. "The Next-Generation 737 family excels in the short-to-medium-range market, delivering high profitability, optimum efficiency and reliability and a design that is 10 years newer than its competition."

As Aero-News reported last year, in December 2005 Xiamen Airlines' order for 10 737-800s contributed to a record order year for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. The Xiamen order also pushed 737 total orders to more than 6,000 since its introduction.

Established 21 years ago, Xiamen Airlines currently operates an all-Boeing fleet of 27 737s and nine 757-200s on more than 100 domestic and international routes. The carrier has operated all three generations of the 737, starting with the 737-200. It currently operates Classic 737-300s and 737-500s and Next-Generation 737-700s.

FMI: www.xiamenair.com.cn/english/index.asp, www.boeing.com