Start-Up Carrier Based In China's Yunnan Province

Boeing has delivered the first Next-Generation 737-700 to be directly purchased by Ruili Airlines. Ruili is a newly established private airline based at Changshui International Airport in Kunming, the capital city of China's Yunnan province.

"This is a momentous step forward for Ruili Airlines as we continue to enhance our fleet," said Ma Zhanwei, president, Ruili Airlines. "We hope that the competitive advantages offered by the 737 will enable us to grow from a start-up airline to a driving force in China's aviation industry."

The new airplane is the first of 14 737 orders and commitments from Ruili Airlines, including eight 737-700s and six 737 MAXs. The carrier currently operates two 737-700s and one 737-800 serving seven domestic routes in China.

"We are honored to celebrate this milestone delivery with Ruili Airlines," said Ihssane Mounir, vice president of Sales for Northeast Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Our Next-Generation 737 delivers market-leading efficiency, reliability, and operating costs, which will all contribute significantly to the successful growth of Ruili Airlines."

Ruili Airlines obtained its public air transport enterprise business license from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in February 2014, marking the formal establishment of the carrier. The start-up airline is the first private carrier approved by CAAC after the regulator relaxed restrictions on new carriers in 2013. According to its development plan, Ruili Airlines plans to increase its fleet to 30 Boeing airplanes by 2020.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.boeing.com