EVERETT, Wash., Aug. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE:
BA) and Xiamen Airlines today celebrated the delivery of the
airline's first 787 Dreamliner.
"We are excited to receive our first 787 Dreamliner which is
also the first widebody airplane of our all-Boeing fleet," said Che
Shanglun, president and chairman of Xiamen Airlines. "With the
innovative technology and exceptional efficiency, the 787
Dreamliner will be key to our further growth and international
expansion."
With today's delivery of its first 787-8, Xiamen Airlines
becomes the third Chinese airline to operate the 787. The airline
will use the 787 on long-haul routes from its Fujian province base to Europe, North
America and Australia.
Formed in 1984 as China's first
joint venture between the Civil Aviation Administration of
China (CAAC) and a municipal
government, Xiamen Airlines started services in 1985 with two
737-200s serving three cities. The carrier has grown into
China's sixth largest airline
serving 218 domestic routes and 26 international and regional
routes.
"Xiamen Airlines is a valued Boeing customer and we are
delighted to celebrate the airline's 30th anniversary
with its first 787 Dreamliner," said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of
Northeast Asia Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We look forward
to strengthening our partnership with Xiamen as the airline continues to expand its
global long-haul fleet."
As part of Xiamen Airlines' 12th five-year plan
ending 2015, the carrier plans to grow its fleet to 150 airplanes,
including six 787s. The 787 is the most advanced airplane in
commercial aviation and will help Xiamen Airlines develop more
point-to-point routes globally, while also establishing the airline
as an emerging force in the commercial aviation market.
To support Xiamen Airlines' 787, Boeing will provide a
comprehensive suite of support and services that includes flight
training, Airplane Health Management, electronic charts and
navigation data, and Maintenance Performance Toolbox through its
Commercial Aviation Services business.
Xiamen Airlines is China's only
all-Boeing carrier. In November 2013,
the airline took delivery of its 100th Boeing airplane, a
Next-Generation 737-800. Xiamen Airlines has a total of six 787s on
order.
Contact:
Wang Yukui
Communications
Boeing China
+86 10 5925 5588
yukui.wang@boeing.com
SOURCE Boeing