Boeing Statement on Xiamen Airlines Commitment to Purchase 40 Next-Generation 737s

SEATTLE, Aug 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) announced Friday that Xiamen Airlines has agreed to purchase 40 Boeing Next-Generation 737-800s. The airline plans to use the airplanes for more international routes to meet growing passenger traffic in Asia-Pacific and China.

The order, which is valued at $3.5 billion at list prices, requires Chinese Government approval and Boeing will work with Xiamen Airlines to obtain approval. After that time the order will be posted to Boeing's Orders & Deliveries website.

"Xiamen Airlines is a valued customer of The Boeing Company and we are delighted that Xiamen has decided to add to their expanding Next-Generation 737 fleet," said Ihssane Mounir, vice president of Sales and Marketing for Greater China and Korea, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "This commitment from one of the fastest growing airlines in the world is a testament to the world's best-selling airplane and the many advantages the Next-Generation 737 provides to the airline and its passengers."

Xiamen Airlines currently operates an all-Boeing fleet of six 757 airplanes and 77 Next-Generation 737 airplanes. The carrier plans to grow its operational fleet to 200 airplanes by the end of year 2020.

The Next-Generation 737 is the most fuel-efficient and reliable single-aisle airplane today with an 8 percent per-seat operating cost advantage over the nearest competitor. Known for its reliability, fuel efficiency and economical performance, the 737-800 is selected by leading carriers throughout the world because it provides operators the flexibility to serve a wide range of markets. The 737, the gold standard of single-aisle jetliners, can seat 162 passengers in dual class and up to 189 passengers in a high density configuration. It can fly 175 nautical miles (320 kilometers) farther and consume up to 7 percent less fuel while carrying 12 more passengers than the competing model.

Xiamen-based Xiamen Airlines is a privately-owned subsidiary of China Southern Airlines.