China Eastern

China Eastern Airlines has agreed to purchase 50 Boeing next-generation 737-800 aircraft to cater to increasing travel demands.

The order is estimated to be worth around $4.6bn; however, airlines usually get discounts on bulk purchase.

The carrier plans to operate the new aircraft with its wholly owned subsidiary China United Airlines, which will transform itself into a low-cost airline.

China Eastern Airlines expects to receive the 737-800s between 2017 and 2019.

Commenting on the order, Boeing said that the deal will be posted on its orders and deliveries website upon finalisation of the related terms and conditions.

"China Eastern committed to buy 80 737 aircraft worth more than $8bn last year."

The latest purchase comes after China Eastern committed to buy 80 737 aircraft worth more than $8bn last year.

Shanghai-headquartered China Eastern Airlines a fleet of more than 430 long-haul and short-haul aircraft with an average age of below seven years.

An official member of SkyTeam, the airline serves nearly 80 million travellers a year, operating flights to 1,000 cities in 187 countries.

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 operators are estimated to buy around 6,020 aircraft worth around $870bn.

Image: China Eastern Airlines Boeing 737-700. Photo: courtesy of Boeing Dreamscape.