By Darren Shannon in Washington, DC
Boeing expects the three 787 orders dropped by Xiamen Airlines in favour of six Boeing 737-800s to be reallocated to another Chinese carrier, effectively adding six aircraft to China’s standing narrow- and widebody order with the US manufacturer.
Flight's 24h data and news service Air Transport Intelligence exclusively revealed last week that Boeing has booked a net loss of three 787-8s because of a fleet re-evaluation by Xiamen that relies on additional 737 aircraft instead of the three widebodies.
Today a source close to the deal says the three Xiamen 787s, although currently booked as a net loss on Boeing’s June 13 online order book, will be reallocated to a Chinese carrier, a move that will retain the 60-aircraft order placed in January 2005, and negate the current net loss on the order book.
Also, the six 737s are new orders and not option conversion, the source adds, a move that increases Xiamen’s firm narrowbody orders to 16 737-800s and five 737-700s.
It is unclear, however, if the 787s will go to one of the four Chinese carriers already holding the remaining 57 787 orders placed in 2005 by state-owned China Aviation Supplies Import and Export Group or another domestic carrier.
It is also unknown if Boeing will reallocate the three Xiamen slots, especially the first - which is scheduled for delivery in July 2008 - to the new Chinese owner or another 787 customer. Boeing has said its current slot allocation is full until early 2011.
Of China’s 60 787s on firm order, Air China and China Eastern Airlines are currently scheduled to take delivery of 15 units each, while 10 are set for Xiamen’s majority owner China Southern Airlines, nine for Shanghai Airlines and eight for Hainan Airlines.
Boeing will not comment on Xiamen’s changed, but expanded, order. Xiamen is not available for comment.
Source: Flight International
