Boeing, Xiamen Airlines celebrate airline’s 100th airplane

Boeing and Xiamen Airlines celebrated the 100^th airplane to join China’s only all-Boeing carrier.

Formed in 1984 as China’s first joint venture between CAAC and a municipal government, Xiamen Airlines started services in 1985 with two Boeing 737-200s serving three cities. The carrier has grown into China’s sixth largest carrier serving 218 domestic routes and 26 international and regional routes. With today’s delivery of a Boeing 737-800, Xiamen Airlines’ fleet now consists of 100 airplanes – 17 737-700s, 77 737-800s and six 757-200s.

Che Shanglun, President and Chairman of Xiamen Airlines said:

“Having an all-Boeing fleet is a key component in our growth strategy and our ability to achieve 26 consecutive years of profitability. With excellent reliability, operational efficiency and range, the Boeing airplanes enable us to expand our network internationally.” 

As part of Xiamen Airlines’ 12^th five-year plan ending 2015, the carrier plans to grow its operational fleet to 136 airplanes, including six 787s.

Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Sales for Northeast Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes said:

“Xiamen Airlines is a valued customer of The Boeing Company and we are delighted to see the remarkable growth of Xiamen Airlines over the past 29 years. We look forward to continuing such a longstanding partnership by providing more value with our industry-leading products and services.”

Boeing projects investments of nearly $800 billion in China for 5,580 new commercial airplanes to be delivered during the next 20 years. That would account for 16 percent of global demand, and reflects a requirement of nearly 200 single-aisle and over 60 twin-aisle airplanes each year on average.