In a move that could signify a subtle de-escalation of the ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China, China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines are planning to resume taking deliveries of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in 2023.
China Southern’s Plan for Boeing 737 MAX Deliveries
According to China Southern Airlines’ annual report, the airline intends to take delivery of thirty-seven B737 MAX aircraft in 2023, followed by 35 in 2024 and 31 in 2025. This move restores the airline’s previous plan to add 103 aircraft of the type. As the ch-aviation fleets advanced module indicates, China Southern currently operates thirteen B737-8s and has 44 more on firm order. It is important to note that Chinese airlines typically remain tight-lipped about their aircraft commitments, often disclosing future orders shortly before deliveries.
China Eastern’s Boeing 737 MAX Deliveries
On the other hand, China Eastern Airlines, which currently has three inactive B737-8s and seven more on disclosed order, plans to take delivery of two aircraft in 2023 and six in 2024.
737 MAX’s Return to Chinese Skies
In January 2023, China Southern Airlines became the first Chinese carrier to resume commercial operations of its B737-8, nearly four years after the type was grounded. The reintroduction of the aircraft occurred without much fanfare, but other airlines followed suit – except for China Eastern, which continues to keep its B737 MAX grounded. China was the last major jurisdiction to unground the B737 MAX.
Boeing’s Efforts to Reestablish Sales in China
Boeing expressed frustration last year at China’s reluctance to resume taking deliveries of new B737 MAX jets. As a result, the manufacturer began remarketing some of the aircraft initially earmarked for Chinese customers and lobbying the White House for assistance in reestablishing sales in China.
The ch-aviation fleets advanced module reveals that, besides China Southern and China Eastern, several other Chinese airlines took delivery of B737-8s before the March 2019 grounding. These include Air China, Hainan Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Xiamen Airlines, Shandong Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, Lucky Air, Fuzhou Airlines, Kunming Airlines, and 9 Air. In early March, Hong Kong’s Greater Bay Airlines ordered fifteen B737-8s. However, as a Chinese Special Administrative Region (SAR), Hong Kong maintains an independent aviation regulator and a largely autonomous trade policy.
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