Boeing milestone: accelerating demand

With Boeing Co delivering its 2,000th airplane, a 737 MAX, to Xiamen Airlines at the end of last month, the speed with which the milestone was reached reflects the accelerating growth of the world’s largest commercial aviation market.

It took Boeing more than four decades to deliver 1,000 airplanes to Chinese airlines. The next 1,000 Boeing jets were delivered in the past five years.

The brisk pace is continuing, as 1 in 4 Boeing commercial jets goes to a Chinese operator, either through direct purchase or lease.

“Aviation, I believe, is a real bright spot in the cooperation between the US and China,” John Bruns, president of Boeing China, told Xinhua in a recent interview. “If we are firmly committed to the China market, we will be in China as long as Boeing Company exists.”

Xiamen Airlines, based in East China’s Fujian province, is one of Boeing’s more than 30 commercial customers in China.

“We’re pleased to be a part of this historic delivery for Boeing and China,” said Che Shanglun, chairman of Xiamen Airlines.

“In our 34-year history of operations, Xiamen Airlines has steadily grown, doubling our fleet size over the past five years and achieving profits for 31 years in a row. Throughout that time, Boeing has been a valued partner in our growth and expansion by providing safe and reliable airplanes.”

Boeing jets comprise more than half of the 3,000-plus jetliners flying in China.

“Our long-standing industrial relationship in this market has been mutually beneficial, fueling significant growth in Boeing’s business, the US economy and the Chinese aviation industry,” said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice-president of commercial sales and marketing at Boeing.

China’s commercial fleet is expected to more than double over the next 20 years. Boeing forecasts that China will need 7,690 new airplanes, valued at $1.2 trillion, by 2038.

China also plays a major role in building the world’s jetliners.

The Chinese aerospace manufacturing industry supplies parts for every Boeing jet, including the 737 MAX, 777 and 787 Dreamliner.

This month, Boeing, which is headquartered in Chicago, and the Commercial Aircraft Corp of China are set to deliver the first 737 MAX airplane from a completion and delivery center in Zhoushan, East China’s Zhejiang province.

The facility will handle interior work and exterior painting of 737 MAXs for the Chinese market. Final assembly will continue at Boeing’s factory in Renton, Washington.

In November 2017, Boeing and China Aviation Suppliers Holding Co signed an agreement for 300 airplanes during a ceremony in Beijing.

It was part of the United States trade mission to China and was signed by Kevin McAllister, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO, in the presence of President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump.

The agreement includes orders and commitments for 300 Boeing single-aisle and twin-aisle airplanes. The airplanes are valued at more than $37 billion at list prices.

Xinhua contributed to this story.