China Southern Airlines orders 10 new Boeing 787

China Southern Airlines has signed a firm purchase order for 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

Commenting on the aircraft purchase, Mr. Liu Ming Qi, Vice Chairman, China Southern Airlines, said, “It is an important strategy of China Southern Airlines to purchase the 787 aircraft in an effort to enhance its competitiveness in the International marketplace. The signing of this 787 Purchase Agreement also marks one step forward in the cooperative relationship between our two companies. It is not only conducive to improving the operation of China Southern Airlines but also enables us to provide better services to our growing passenger base throughout the globe.”

The first 787 aircraft is slated to be delivered to China Southern in July 2008, one month prior to the start of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.

The balance of the delivery order is expected to be delivered to China Southern through end 2010. 

China Southern’s configured 787 will have seating for 223 passengers with a maximum range of 15,700 kilometers (8,500 nautical miles).

The airline plans to use the 787 on medium and long range routes, including International routes, partly replacing its current 757 aircraft.

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