Boeing

Boeing [NYSE: BA] today delivered the first 747-400ER (Extended Range) Freighter to enter the fleet of China Cargo Airlines. The new cargo airplane is the first of two that China Cargo ordered in July 2005. China Cargo, a subsidiary of Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines, plans to use the freighters to further expand the operating capacity of the carrier's routes.

The freighter also will be part of Boeing's Customer Operation Support (COS) program, which relieves the burden of acquisition and management of high utilization and other repair parts inventory. This provides significant inventory cost savings for airlines by providing access to a pool of components. The China Cargo freighter will be the first 747-400ER enrolled in the COS program, which will be used for the first time in the China market.