17 Dec 2018

China Aviation Industry Newsletter 17 December

Boeing Delivers First Airplane From New 737 Completion and Delivery Center in Zhoushan, China Boeing and joint venture partner Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd (COMAC) 15 December celebrated the delivery of the first aircraft from the new 737 Completion and Delivery Center in Zhoushan, China. Air China received the first plane, marking a new era in Boeing's partnership with the Chinese aviation industry. Boeing 737 MAXs for Chinese airlines will be flown from Seattle to Zhoushan, where the joint Boeing-COMAC Completion Center will complete interior work on the aircraft. Boeing Delivers the 787th 787 Dreamliner to China Southern Boeing on 13 December delivered the 787th 787 Dreamliner to come off the production line, marking a special milestone for the super-efficient airplane family and the fastest-selling twin-aisle jet in history. The airplane was delivered to AerCap, the world's largest lessor and 787 customer. Sporting a special logo commemorating the production milestone, the aircraft will be leased and operated by China Southern, which continues to expand its long-haul fleet of 787 Dreamliners, including 10 787-8s and eight 787-9s. China Southern Airlines first ordered 10 787-8 Dreamliners in 2005 and further increased its capability on long-haul routes when they placed an order for 787-9s in 2016. CDB Aviation Delivers First of Six Aircraft to TAP CDB Aviation announced 6 December that the company began delivery of a fleet of six Airbus aircraft to TAP Air Portugal. The first aircraft delivered to the carrier in November is a new Airbus A321neo, which is part of a lease agreement for a total of four aircraft of the type. The second A321neo is expected to deliver by year-end, with the remaining two aircraft slated for arrival in 2019. CDB Aviation Chief Commercial Officer Patrick Hannigan said “This aircraft delivery supports our important partnership between CDB Aviation and one of the world’s leading airlines, TAP. The addition of these narrowbody and widebody aircraft will support the carrier’s vision of accelerated capacity growth, enabling the airline to launch new routes. We look forward to building our ongoing close relationship with TAP, delivering supportive financing solutions to aid its growth in the years ahead.” China's Civil Aviation Industry Aims High The Civil Aviation Administration of China published an action plan with the goal to make China's civil aviation industry one of the best in the world by 2050. Under the plan, from 2021 to 2035, China will comprehensively enhance the strength of its civil aviation industry to not only take the lead in air transportation, but also have the world's most competitive airlines and aviation hubs, advanced air service system and general aviation system, modernized air traffic management system, sound security guarantee system and highly efficient management mechanism. China to build 216 new airports by 2035 The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) aims to construct 216 new airports by 2035 to meet the growing demands for air travel. China had a total of 234 civil airports at the end of October, and this number is likely to hit 450 by 2035. This is part of China’s ambition to become an aviation power, reported Reuters. China is planning to build airports in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, Yangtze River Delta region, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, as well as in the cities of Chongqing and Chengdu. The primary factors for the aviation sector growth are an expanding middle-class and government policy. China to Emerge as the World's Largest Air Travel Market by 2020 air travel demand in China remains high and the country is expected to become the world's largest air travel market by 2020, according to Beroe Inc., a procurement intelligence firm. Beroe Inc's Valekumar Krishnan, Practice Head -- APAC and Middle East said “Chinese economy witnessed a recent slowdown, but is expected to remain the largest business travel market, with a sustained high growth rate. However, growing trade tensions between China and the U.S. could potentially impact the business travel between the two countries,". Acumen Aviation © 16 December 2018 All Rights Reserved.