Xiamen Airlines to spend US$3.5 billion to buy 40 Boeing 737-800s

A PRIVATELY-owned division of China Southern Airlines, Xiamen Airlines, has agreed to purchase 40 Boeing Next-Generation 737-800s, worth US$3.5 billion at list prices.

The airline said it will work with Boeing to obtain approval of the purchase from the Chinese government. The carrier currently operates six 757s and 77 Next-Generation 737 planes from Boeing, and plans to grow its fleet to 200 by the end of 2020, according to media reports.

In another development, Singapore Airlines-owned SilkAir has also placed an order for thirty-one 737 MAX 8s and twenty-three Next-Generation 737-800s for an undisclosed sum.