China Eastern to expand fleet to over 800 aircraft by 2020 vs 561 at end-2015: pres

[SHANGHAI] China Eastern Airlines plans to expand its fleet of aircraft to more than 800 by 2020, up from 561 as of the end of 2015, its president Ma Xulun said in an interview on Friday.

The plans to acquire hundreds of new planes come as China Eastern seeks to boost long-haul traffic to and from the United States after a US$450 million equity deal with Delta Air Lines Inc last year.

Delta agreed to buy 3.55 per cent of China Eastern, becoming the first US carrier to own part of a Chinese airline.

REUTERS