Boeing Delivers First 737-700 Aircraft To Ruili Airlines

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 26 (Bernama) -- Aircraft manufacturer Boeing has delivered Ruili Airlines' first of 14 orders for next-generation 737-700 airplanes. Ruili is a newly established private airline based at Changshui International Airport in Kunming, the capital city of China's Yunnan province. In a statement, Boeing said the 14 aircraft orders comprise eight 737-700s and six 737 MAXs. The carrier currently operates two 737-700s and one 737-800, serving seven domestic routes in China. "Known for its reliability, fuel efficiency and economical performance, the 737-700 has been selected by leading carriers throughout the world, and has contributed more than 1,200 orders to the strong success of next-generation 737 family orders," it said. Ruili Airlines President Ma Zhanwei expressed hope that the competitive advantages offered by the aircraft would enable it to grow from a start-up airline to a driving force in China's aviation industry. The airline, which obtained its public air transport enterprise business licence from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in February 2014, plans to increase its fleet to 30 Boeing airplanes by 2020. --BERNAMA