787-9

China-based Hainan Airlines is planning to place an order worth $7.7bn with Boeing for 30 787 Dreamliners.

If finalised, the new 787-9 aircraft will complement Hainan’s existing fleet of nine Dreamliners.

The carrier intends to soon sign a definitive agreement with the US aircraft maker, and expects to take delivery of the first airliner by 2021.

The firm order will be the largest transaction for Dreamliner since 2013, when Boeing unveiled the largest variant, 787-10.

Hainan Airlines is seeking to meet increasing Chinese travel demand by expanding its international network to destinations across North America and Europe.

Capital Securities Shanghai-based analyst Li Xiaolu was quoted by Bloomberg as saying: "They will need this for their long-haul flights.

"China is expected to surpass North America as the biggest aviation market in the next 20 years."

"Because the deliveries are stretched over the next ten years or so, this order isn’t as aggressive as it looks."

According to Boeing’s China Current Market Outlook report, China is expected to surpass North America as the biggest aviation market in the next 20 years.

Chinese aircraft operators are estimated to order around 6,020 aeroplanes worth about $870bn.

Built from carbon-fibre components, the 787 made its commercial debut with the 787-8 in 2011.

Launched in 2014, the 787-9 is a stretched version designed to accommodate 280 passengers, and has a range of 8,300nm.

Boeing has so far logged 467 orders for the 787-8; 466 and 139 orders for the 787-9 and the 787-10 models.

Image: Hainan Airlines intends to soon sign a definitive agreement with Boring for 787-9 order. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.