China Southern Airlines has moved to expand and renew its short-haul fleet, with the announcement of a major new order with Boeing.
The Guangzhou-based carrier, which is Asia’s largest airline in terms of passenger numbers, has signed a commitment to purchase 80 Boeing 737 aircraft valued at US$8.4 billion at current list prices. The order includes 30 standard B737s and 50 new B737 MAXs.
“China Southern’s commitment is a solid endorsement of the popularity of the.. 737 and 737 MAX,” said Ihssane Mounir, Boeing’s senior vice president of sales for Northeast Asia. “We share an enduring partnership with China Southern and we are excited to see that the 737 airplanes will play an important role in their continued success.”
China Southern currently operates a fleet of more than 500 aircraft, including almost 170 B737s. The 80 new aircraft will add to the airline’s existing orders for 50 new Airbus A320-series aircraft.
In total, China Southern now has outstanding orders for almost 160 new aircraft, including the single-aisle B737s and A320s, China’s domestic C919 aircraft, and twin-aisle models like the B777 and A330.
Several of its older aircraft, including B757s, B737-300s, B777-200s and A319s will be sold or retired in the coming years, to make way for the new aircraft.
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