Juneyao Airlines is set to order up to 10 Boeing 787-9s, which will be the first widebody aircraft in the Chinese carrier's fleet.
In a Shanghai Stock Exchange statement, Juneyao says that it has received board approval to make a firm order for five aircraft that would be delivered in 2018 and 2019, and take options on five others with possible deliveries in 2019 and 2020.
It follows the carrier signing a memorandum of understanding with Boeing in September 2016, although the carrier told FlightGlobal in November that it was continuing to evaluate the Airbus A350 for its planned long-haul fleet.
Juneyao lists the purchase for five aircraft on firm order at $1.29 billion, but expects to receive a discount. It will fund the purchases from operating cash flow, bank loans, and “other financing methods.”
The airline adds that the introduction of the 787s will “help to further enhance the company’s international competitiveness.”
Flight Fleets Analyzer shows that the Shanghai-based airline operates 60 Airbus A320 family aircraft and has another eight aircraft on order. It flies predominately on domestic services, with some international services to Japan, South Korea, and Thailand.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
