Flight International online news 09:00GMT: China Southern Airlines has signed a contract to order 10 Boeing 787s, making it the fifth Chinese carrier to conclude a deal with the US manufacturer.

Boeing  has confirmed the order and says the value of the deal at list price is $1.2 billion.

No delivery schedule for the 10 aircraft has been disclosed, although Boeing says some will be delivered in 2008 ahead of the Olympic Games in Beijing.

In January, China signed a preliminary agreement to acquire 60 787s to be operated by six airlines. The latest deal with China Southern brings the confirmed order to 52 aircraft.

Air China and China Eastern Airlines have each signed orders for 15 787s, while Shanghai Airlines and Xiamen Airlines have agreed to order nine and three of the aircraft, respectively.

Boeing says it is confident the deal with the remaining carrier, Hainan Airlines, for eight 787s will be completed.

KERRY EZARD/WASHINGTON DC

Source: Flight International

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