Singapore Carrier Also Picks Up Another 39 Aircraft

Boeing announced Friday that Xiamen Airlines has agreed to purchase 40 Boeing Next-Generation 737-800s. The airline plans to use the airplanes for more international routes to meet growing passenger traffic in Asia-Pacific and China.

The order, which is valued at $3.5 billion at list prices, requires Chinese Government approval and Boeing will work with Xiamen Airlines to obtain approval. After that time the order will be posted to Boeing's Orders & Deliveries website. "Xiamen Airlines is a valued customer of The Boeing Company and we are delighted that Xiamen has decided to add to their expanding Next-Generation 737 fleet," said Ihssane Mounir, vice president of Sales and Marketing for Greater China and Korea, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "This commitment from one of the fastest growing airlines in the world is a testament to the world's best-selling airplane and the many advantages the Next-Generation 737 provides to the airline and its passengers."

Xiamen Airlines currently operates an all-Boeing fleet of six 757 airplanes and 77 Next-Generation 737 airplanes. The carrier plans to grow its operational fleet to 200 airplanes by the end of year 2020. Xiamen-based Xiamen Airlines is a privately-owned subsidiary of China Southern Airlines.

In a related development, the planemaker issued a statement Friday indicating that SilkAir had committed to order 31 737 MAX 8s and 23 Next-Generation 737-800s. When finalized, the agreement will be worth $4.9 billion at list prices.
 
Boeing congratulated SilkAir for selecting the 737 and says it looks forward to finalizing the order.

FMI: www.boeing.com