Han Ximin

    ximhan@126.com

    SHENZHEN Donghai Airlines intends to purchase 25 Boeing 737 MAX 8 and five 787-9 for over US$4 billion, according to an agreement signed at the Farnborough International Airshow in Britain yesterday.

    Prior to this, Donghai Airlines already ordered 15 Next Generation 737-800 and 10 737 MAX airplanes from Boeing in 2013.

    With these purchases, the airline has shifted its business scope from cargo services into passenger services, it said.

    “Since the beginning of freight flight in 2006, Donghai Airlines had undergone steady development over the past 10 years. We will use Shenzhen as the main operation base and move into a fast-development track,” Wong Cho-bau, chairman of Donghai Airlines, said.

    He said the company is committed to introducing new next-generation airplanes that deliver industry-leading fuel efficiency and passenger comfort in their segment market.

    Donghai Airlines will work with Boeing to finalize the details of the agreement, which will be subject to the approval of the Chinese Government.

    “We are honored by Donghai Airlines’ reaffirmation of 737 MAX airplanes, and we look forward to welcoming Donghai as our new 787 customer,” said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Northeast Asia Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “These new airplanes will provide Donghai Airlines with added efficiency, operating economics and passenger comfort for their business growth domestically and internationally.”

    The 737 MAX is the fourth generation of the 737 family, with the primary change being the use of larger and more efficient engines as well as modifications to the airframe that deliver the highest levels of reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market.

    With the fuselage stretched by 6 meters over the 787-8, the 787-9 will fly about 40 more passengers an additional 520 kilometers, with 20 percent less fuel use and 20 percent fewer emissions than the airplane it replaces.

    The Shenzhen-based carrier started its freight flight service in 2006 and passenger flights commenced in 2014. Now it owns 11 Boeing 737-800 with dozens of domestic routes. Upon the 10th anniversary of its maiden flight, Donghai Airlines will soon operate several routes from Shenzhen to Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia.