Boeing wins US$5.8b jet order from China Aircraft Leasing

[SINGAPORE] Boeing Co won a US$5.8 billion order for its 737 Max jets from China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings as the lessor purchases more planes amid surging demand across Asia.

The order is for 50 single-aisle jets, which will be delivered through 2023, China Aircraft Leasing said in a statement to the Hong Kong stock exchange Thursday. The transaction is the company's first purchase from Boeing and the final price will be arrived after discussions on discounts that are customary in the industry.

China Aircraft Leasing's order bolsters an already strong demand for the largest version of the 737 yet. The Max is the fastest-selling plane in company history and the Chicago-based company delivered the first of its upgraded 737 to Malindo Airways last month.

China Aircraft Leasing, which has a fleet of 87 aircraft, handed Airbus SE a US$10 billion order in 2014 for its single-aisle A320 planes. The Hong Kong-traded lessor and regional rivals are all ramping up their fleet as air travel gains momentum across China, India and Southeast Asia.

Last year, the lessor also placed a US$2.3 billion order for 60 ARJ21 regional jets from the Commercial Aircraft Corp of China Ltd.

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