Boeing and Comac have signed the joint-venture agreement that will underpin the operations of their 737 Max completion centre in Zhoushan, China.
Named the "Boeing (Zhoushan) Completion Centre", the joint venture will start operations in 2018, with the first 737 Max jet to be delivered from it before the end of that year.
Under the joint-venture deal, Boeing will fly "green" 737s from its final assembly line in Renton to Zhoushan for interior installation, painting, and formal delivery to Chinese carriers.
It is the first such Boeing facility outside of the USA, and Comac says that up to 100 737s will be completed in Zhoushan.
Construction of the facility was begun in May, and the first stage is set to be completed by May 2018, before the first aircraft rolls out later that year.
As well as the completion centre, Boeing and Comac will operate a joint project centre intended to help grow China's civil aircraft manufacturing capacity, and will broaden their international co-operation.
Flight Fleets Analyzer shows that, at present, there are orders for a total of 65 Max jets from Chinese carriers and leasing companies. Letters of intent cover a further 57.
Source: Cirium Dashboard
