Boeing 737 orders top 6,000, Airbus eyes 50-pct share in China

With Xiamen Airlines' orders for ten 737-800, the number of order for Boeing 737, the best-selling aircraft in the aviation history, has topped 6, 000, according to Boeing Co., Ltd. Thursday.

In the meantime, Boeing's old rival Airbus has decided to expand its market share in China, aiming at 50 percent.

Xiamen Airlines' orders and those from other customers have raised the number of Boeing 737 ordered to 6,025. Boeing will start to deliver Xiamen Airlines' aircraft from 2006.

With a history of 21 years, Xiamen Airlines is China's first local airlines with China Southern Airlines and Xiamen C&D Corp. Ltd. holding 60 percent and 40 percent of equities respectively. All of Xiamen Airlines' aircraft in service are Boeing, including 25 737 and nine 757-200.

According to Airbus China, in 2005, Airbus has inked orders for 72 airplanes in China and delivered 65 to China, both new records. In 2006, it will deliver 78 planes to China, 20 percent more than last year's delivery.

Airbus added six new clients in China this year, making the total number 13. Meanwhile, Airbus and China Aviation Supplies Import & Export Group Corporation (CASC Group) have signed a framework agreement on 150 A320, a record single aircraft order in China's civil aviation history.

By People's Daily Online