Growing passenger and cargo demand brings 2b yuan order for six aircraft
China Eastern Airlines Corp will spend two billion yuan buying six medium-range Boeing aircraft to help meet growing domestic passenger and cargo demand.
The Shanghai-based carrier said in a stock exchange announcement it had signed a deal with the Chicago-based aircraft maker on Thursday to take delivery of the 737-700 jets from January to August 2006.
Company secretary Luo Zhuping said the mainland's No3 carrier by capacity would use the new jets to strengthen its network and replace old aircraft.
'Passenger and cargo volume in China has risen more than 10 per cent annually in the past 10 years. The growth momentum will continue,' Mr Luo said yesterday.
China Eastern carried 16.45 million passengers in the first 11 months of the year, a jump of 49 per cent year on year.
'The new aircraft are suitable for short-haul operations. We will use them mainly on domestic routes,' Mr Luo said.
