China’s Ruili Airlines commits to 70 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft

China’s Ruili Airlines has committed to purchase 30 737 MAXs with the financial support of AVIC International Leasing, amid a surge in China’s passenger traffic. The deal was announced at the Paris Air Show.

The commitment, valued at $3.2 billion at current list prices, will be subject to approval by the Chinese government.

The aircraft will be powered by LEAP-1B engines, in an engine order valued at $810 million, according to CFM International.

“Today’s agreement demonstrates our ambition to grow from a startup airline to a driving force in China’s growing aviation industry,” Ruili Airlines president Ma Zhanwei said.

Ruili currently operates 34 daily flights on 11 scheduled routes with a fleet of five Boeing 737s. According to its development plan, the startup carrier will expand its fleet to seven aircraft by the end of this year and 26 by 2020.

Ruili Airlines obtained its public air transport enterprise business license from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in February 2014, formally establishing the carrier. The startup airline is the first private carrier approved by CAAC after the regulator relaxed restrictions on new carriers in 2013.

Today's agreement from Ruili Airlines continues the momentum of the 737 MAX in the marketplace. The 737 MAX incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets and other improvements to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market.

(Linda Blachly - ATWOnline News)