Chinese domestic carrier Hainan Airlines has ordered 19 Fairchild Aerospace328JETs, with 20 options, the US-German manufacturer's first jet sale to China. The first aircraft in the $226 million contract is to be delivered in October, with deliveries continuing until August 2001.
The 328JETs will replace nine 19-seat Fairchild Metro 23 turboprops. The order brings the total of firm orders for 328JETs to 84.
The announcement came in the same week that Hainan posted a 66.02 million yuan ($8 million) profit for the first half of this year, 14% down on the previous year's figure.
The profit dip comes despite a 38% increase in turnover to 812.9 million yuan.
Source: Flight International
