Xiamen Airlines Receives Its First Boeing 737 MAX 8

---

China’s Xiamen Airlines recently took delivery of a Boeing single-aisle 737 MAX 8 jet, marking the 200th jet the airline has received from Boeing during a relationship lasting more than three decades. (Photo courtesy of Boeing.)

Xiamen Airlines has shared a relationship with Boeing since 1984, when it began operations in coastal Fujian, China. The airline started out with just two leased Boeing 737 aircraft and service to three cities. Things are very different for Xiamen these days, however. In addition to operating nearly 400 routes serving China, Asia, Europe, and North America, Xiamen took delivery in late May of its 200th Boeing jet, a 210-seat 737 MAX 8, and the company is looking forward to even more growth.

Mapping Development

Xiamen took ownership of its first Boeing 737 MAX 8 on May 23, which Xiamen Airlines Chairman Che Shanglun says marked a milestone for the company. Moving forward, the airline plans to expand its fleet to 568 airplanes by 2035. Xiamen also plans to “evolve into a competitive world-class airline serving the globe, doing our part in helping China build a human community with shared destiny,” Shanglun says.

Xiamen received its 100th Boeing aircraft in 2013 and today operates an all-Boeing fleet that includes 737, 757, and 787 Dreamliner models. According to Boeing, Xiamen has turned a profit for 31 straight years. In addition to receiving the 737 MAX 8, Xiamen is one of Boeing’s launch customers for its upcoming 230-seat 737 MAX 10 that recently entered its detailed design phase; Boeing expects deliveries to begin in 2020.

Kevin McAllister, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO, acknowledges the “incredible success” Xiamen has achieved, as well as Boeing’s pride in having partnered with Xiamen since its beginning. “The delivery of the first 737 MAX to Xiamen builds on a partnership that has spanned three decades and signals the beginning of an even brighter future together,” he says. “We are confident the MAX will help Xiamen fly farther, improve fuel efficiency, and provide greater comfort for their passengers.”

---

After starting with just two leased Boeing aircraft in 1984, Xiamen Airlines today operates an all-Boeing fleet and serves 400 routes across China, Asia, Europe, and North America. (Photo courtesy of Boeing.)

Selling Fast

Boeing says the 737 MAX is its fastest-selling airplane ever. The company has taken more than 4,500 orders from roughly 100 global customers for 737 MAX aircraft. Boeing also claims the 737 MAX 8 has transported more than 1.8 million passengers since the first delivery of the single-aisle jet in 2017. In addition to the MAX 8 and MAX 10, the 737 MAX family includes the 172-seat 737 MAX 7 and 220-seat 737 MAX 9.

The entire 737 MAX family uses CFM International LEAP-1B engines and integrates such design updates as Boeing’s Advanced Technology winglet. The latter results in less drag and optimized performance, especially on longer-range missions, Boeing says. The improvements Boeing implemented reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by at least 14% in comparison to current Next-Generation 737 aircraft and by 20% compared to the single-aisle aircraft they replace, Boeing says.

If you’re in the market for Boeing airplanes, Controller.com has numerous pre-owned 727s, 737s, 747s, 757s, 777s, and Boeing BBJ business jets for sale.

Source: Boeing

Questions? Comments? Visit the Controller Forums to ask questions, get answers, and share your thoughts.