Boeing

The Peoples Republic of China (PRC) today agreed to purchase 10 Next- Generation 737 jetliners. The signing ceremony took place at the Great Hall of the People. Secretary of Commerce William Daley attended the ceremony representing the United States.

Bai Zhi Jian, President, China Aviation Supplies Corp., who presided over the ceremony said, "These additional 737 airplanes will allow the airlines of China to expand their short-range jet-aircraft fleet with the most technologically advanced jetliners in the world in order to better serve China's growing demand for air travel."

Boeing Commercial Airplane Group President Ron Woodard said, "The agreement recognizes China's confidence in Boeing as their premier partner in aviation, and indicates their reliance on our aircraft to meet long-term fleet requirements".

The agreement signed today for 10 jetliners is in addition to the 50 airplanes that China committed to during the historic October 1997 visit of President Jiang Zemin to the United States. The combined value of the aircraft ordered by China over the past eight months is approximately $3.4 billion.

Since Boeing launched the latest members of the Boeing 737 family - the Next-Generation 737-600/ -700/ -800/ -900 models - they have outsold all others in their market segment. These new members of the 737 family build on the 737's pre-eminence as the world's most popular and reliable commercial jet transport.

The Next-Generation 737 has the greatest range capability in its class. The 737-600's range capability is 3,230 nautical miles; the 737-700 has a range of 3,300 nautical miles; the 737-800's range is 2,925 nautical miles; and the 737-900 can fly routes up to 2,728 nautical miles.

The Next-Generation 737s are powered by new CFM56-7 engines produced by CFMI, a joint venture of General Electric Co. of the U.S. and Snecma of France.

Over the past three years, one in 10 Boeing airplanes was delivered to China. According to the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, 11,000 American jobs are supported by every $1 billion in aircraft exports, with thousands of other jobs resulting from the purchasing power of aerospace employees.

Boeing forecasts China will require 1,800 commercial aircraft over the next 20 years.

"We have been in partnership with the civil aviation industry of China for 27 years and value our long, rich relationship," Woodard said.