The Hainan Airlines and Boeing Company signed a contract for eight B787 aircraft Monday. Altogether, five Chinese airline companies have bought 50 B787 aircraft.

Introducing B787 aircraft to the current B737 fleet is a strategic plan for the Hainan Airlines to become a famous world carrier, said Chen Feng, president of the Hainan Airlines.

The Hainan Airlines is China's fourth biggest airline company and also an important partner for Boeing, said Rob Laird, an official with Boeing.

The newly-designed B787 aircraft can fly 15,700 kilometers and has low oil consumption, low maintenance cost and low noise. The Hainan Airlines will receive its first B787 before 2008.

Source: Xinhua