Well it’s the Asian Aerospace Show this week, and there are bits and bobs of orders dripping out – but the highlight of the day so far is Air China who have placed an order for Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental aircraft.
Now before Boeing fans and fans of the upper deck wet themselves in anticipation, it’s a grand total of five frames that have been ordered (the same as Korean Air).
Which isn’t a big fleet at all.
Whilst this is good on paper, the deal has to be ratified by the Chinese Government.
He Li, vice-president of Air China states:
“The new high capacity Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental will deliver exceptional economics and a great flying experience to our customers.”
Air China is hoping for these frames within the next three years to expand it’s international network. Whilst it’s chosen the 747-8I in the first instance, it still hasn’t shut out the possibility of operating Airbus A380’s in it’s fleet.
Suffice to say, it’s given Boeing a small shot in the arm with the 748-8I project which now is up to 38 orders – 30 of which are going to Commercial Customers.
Boeing released a rendering of what the 747-8I will look like in Air China’s livery:
Image (c) Boeing.
