737 Max

China-based Kunming Airlines has agreed to buy ten Boeing 737s, including four Next-Generation 737-700s and six 737 MAX aircraft.

Valued $897m, the order is subject to consent from the Chinese Government.

Kunming Airlines CEO Xuan Yuen said: "The 737 is the backbone of our fleet and will continue to be in the future.

"These airplanes will further expand and improve our route network, contributing to our vision to build Yunnan’s gateway airport to be the forefront of the province’s economic development."

"These aeroplanes will further expand and improve our route network."

Based at Changshui International Airport, Kunming Airlines operates a fleet of ten 737-700s and five 737-800s, and serves more than 25 cities across China.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes North East Asia sales senior vice-president Ihssane Mounir said: "This commitment from Kunming Airlines represents a strong endorsement of the market-leading efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort of the 737 family of airplanes."

The 737-700 is designed to accommodate around 128 passengers in a two-class configuration, and is said to be one of the most selling versions of the Next-Generation 737 family. The aircraft has to date logged more than 1,200 orders.

Powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines, the 737 MAX features advanced technology winglets and other enhancements that offer better efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort.

The airliner is claimed to offer 14% in fuel-efficiency compared to the Next-Generation 737s and 8% per seat operating cost savings over A320neo.


Image: Boeing 737 MAX features advanced technology winglets. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.

Defence Technology