Boeing hopes that the planned visit to the USA of Chinese president Jiang Zemin later this year will clear the way for Air China to order its remaining Boeing 777s, following its confirmation of an order for an initial five.
After nearly two years of delay, the Chinese Government gave its flag carrier the green light on 24 March to order the first five 777-200s. The deal, valued at about $685 million, was finally given a political stamp of approval to coincide with US Vice-President Al Gore's visit to Beijing.
Air China already has a provisional agreement in place with Boeing to order a total of ten 777s, with options on a further five aircraft (Flight International, 26 March-1 April). The 777 deal, as well as other smaller aircraft sales to Chinese carriers, has been subject to continual delay, because of a series of political and trade disputes with the USA throughout 1995 and 1996.
Local sources say that the original agreement is still in place and Air China's remaining firm orders for five increased-gross-weight versions of the 777-200 are likely to be confirmed later this year. An earlier order for five Boeing 747-400s, which originally formed part of the 1995 777 deal, was similarly divided into two separate purchases, for political purposes.
The first five aircraft will all be shorter-range A-market versions, configured to seat 345 passengers on regional routes - including Beijing to Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea. The first three 777s are scheduled for delivery in the final quarter of 1998 and the remaining two in 1999.
No engine has yet been officially selected, and Boeing has given Air China until August to decide. The Pratt & Whitney PW4077 turbofan is understood to be the front-runner, with all of Air China's existing fleet of 16 747-400/200/SPs, ten 767-200/300s and 19 737-300s powered by either P&W PW4056s or JT9Ds.
Source: Flight International
