Chinese airlines are responding to overcapacity and a slump in domestic traffic by offering aircraft for lease to other carriers.
China Southern Airlines, based in Guangzhou, is to wet-lease two of its Boeing 777-200s to Biman Airlines of Bangladesh for carrying passengers on the hadj, starting in July. Chengdu-based China Southwest Airlines has signed a wet lease deal with Royal Nepal Airlines on two Boeing 757-200s. The 757s will be rotated on renewable one-year leases, with a third aircraft to ensure that maintenance standards are met.
Beijing's Air China, meanwhile, has placed three new Airbus A340-300s and three Boeing 777-200s on the market for three-to-five year dry lease.
The A340s were built in 1997 and have flown fewer than 4,000h each. The 777s - powered by Pratt & Whitney PW4077s - were built last year, and have fewer than 600 airframe hours.
The carrier recently took delivery of a new 777-200ER, and has another six on order.
In January, because of Chinese carriers' losses, the Civil Aviation Administration of China instructed airlines to reduce overcapacity by not renewing expiring aircraft leases, and selling other aircraft. It also banned new aircraft orders during this year.
Source: Flight International
