Boeing resumes deliveries to China

Boeing China President Alvin Liu said on Thursday that Boeing has resumed the delivery of its new aircraft to China, including the 737MAX and 787 Dreamliner. He said Boeing always regards the Chinese market as a top priority and highlighted the significant potential for cooperation in low-altitude logistics, according to Shenzhen TV reports.

The comments came amid the third Aviation Logistics Forum, held in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province from Thursday to Friday, where authoritative experts and industry insiders from the global aviation logistics sector gathered to delve into discussions on aviation logistics trends and explore fresh opportunities for China's aviation logistics development.

During an exclusive interview with Shenzhen TV when attending the forum, Liu highlighted the recent progress of Boeing's current aircraft deliveries and order volume in China has been "excellent and smooth." Liu said the company has recently resumed deliveries of its 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner to China.

Boeing had experienced delays in delivering aircraft to China for weeks due to regulatory scrutiny from Chinese authorities regarding the cockpit voice recorder batteries, Reuters reported on May 23, citing a source familiar with the matter.

The US plane-maker resumed deliveries of its best-selling 737 MAX jets to China in January, following the first direct delivery of a 787 Dreamliner at the end of 2023 since 2019. This ended an almost five-year import freeze prompted by China's security concerns due to accidents involving Max jets in 2018 and 2019 and resuming the possibility of delivering its new aircraft to the world's second-biggest economy.

Liu also emphasized the enormous growth potential of China's aviation market, and expressed optimism regarding the Chinese market, saying "We will maintain our focus on China's market as a top priority."

Over the next 20 years, China may need over 8,500 new civilian aircraft worth $550 billion in its civil aviation services, Liu said, forecasting that the country's entire operating fleet will grow from over 4,300 aircraft to more than 6,000.

To fully tap into the vast market, Liu noted that Boeing has been collaborating closely with its Chinese clients, aiming to expedite aircraft delivery while upholding stringent quality benchmarks.

China's domestic aircraft manufacturing industry is experiencing rapid growth. On Saturday, China Eastern Airlines' C919, a domestically-produced large aircraft, completed its first cross-border commercial charter from Shanghai Hongqiao Airport to Hong Kong International Airport, marking the latest milestone following C919's first anniversary of commercial passenger flights on Tuesday.

In May 2023, China's home-made C919 aircraft from Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) completed its maiden commercial flight, signaling a new chapter in China's aviation manufacturing sector and introducing fresh competition to the global aviation industry.

"COMAC's achievements contribute to a healthier and more diverse aviation market. We welcome their progress. Boeing and COMAC have a unique relationship, being both competitors and close partners," Liu said during the interview.

Boeing and COMAC co-established a Boeing 737 completion and delivery center in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang Province in May 2017, marking Boeing's largest project outside the US and its first overseas completion operation. The collaboration represents a significant breakthrough in high-tech cooperation between China and the US, according to media reports.

Liu also emphasized the low-altitude economy's role as a further economic growth point. He pointed out that Shenzhen has been leading the way in aviation logistics development and established supportive policies and a complete industry chain. "Shenzhen has become a major cross-border aviation logistics hub in China, offering ample collaboration opportunities for industry players," Liu said.