Aircraft

China’s government has confirmed a follow-on deal with Boeing for another 80 737 narrowbodies on behalf of several of the country’s airlines.

Boeing says in a statement that the general purchase agreement was signed on 11 April by China Aviation Supplies Import & Export Group during a visit to the USA by Chinese dignitaries.

It does not say which airlines will be allocated aircraft or when deliveries will take place, although as many as eight carriers are expected to receive 737s from the agreement. The deal was widely expected and comes nearly five months after an initial bulk deal was agreed for 70 737s.

“Boeing expects to finalise agreements for the 80 new orders with the individual Chinese airlines over the next few weeks,” says the manufacturer.

China last agreed a bulk order for Boeing aircraft in November, when it signed for 70 737-700/800s on behalf of eight airlines, namely Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Hainan Airlines, Shandong Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines and Xiamen Airlines. That deal was originally due to have been for 150 aircraft but China is known to have only agreed to sign for 70 at the time for political reasons.