Boeing, Ruili Airlines Finalize Order for Six 787-9 Dreamliners

FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom, July 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Ruili Airlines announced today at the 2016 Farnborough International Airshow the finalization of an order for six 787-9 Dreamliners, valued at $1.59 billion at current list prices. The order represents the first widebody order for the Yunnan-based carrier.

Ruili Airlines first announced an intent to order the six 787-9 Dreamliners in May at the ceremony for the airline's two-year anniversary.

"With our base in Yunnan province, Ruili Airlines is positioned to help build Yunnan as the gateway between Southwest China and the rest of the world," said Ma Zhanwei, Chairman, Ruili Airlines. "The right size, long range, competitive fuel efficiency, as well as passenger appealing edge of the 787-9 make it an ideal fit in facilitating our international expansion plans."

Established in February 2014, Ruili operates a fleet of nine 737 airplanes on 16 domestic routes with 46 daily departures. The start-up carrier plans to expand its fleet to 70 airplanes by the end of 2025.

"We are honored to expand our partnership with Ruili Airlines," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner. "The 787-9 would complement Ruili Airlines' narrowbody fleet and enable them to operate long-haul services to destinations as far as America and Europe, while providing the latest and most advanced technology in passenger comfort."

The 787-9 complements and extends the 787 family. With the fuselage stretched by 20 feet (6 meters) over the 787-8, the 787-9 will fly over 40 more passengers an additional 280 nautical miles (520 kilometers) with the same exceptional environmental performance – 20 percent less fuel use and 20 percent fewer emissions than the airplanes it replaces.

The order will be posted on Boeing's Orders & Deliveries website once all contingencies are cleared.