On Sep. 6, Boeing and China Southern Airlines, the largest airline in the People's Republic of China, announced the carrier has ordered 55 additional Next-Generation 737-700s and 737-800s for its expanding fleet. At catalogue prices, the order is valued at US$3.8 billion. The model mix was not disclosed.

The 55 airplanes announced on Sep. 6 will supplement the 129 737s already in China Southern's fleet as well as 14 more 737s yet to be delivered from previous orders. Collectively, the airplanes will progressively lower the average age of the China Southern Airlines fleet -- already one of the youngest in China.

"We look forward to placing our new 737s into our expanding network," said China Southern Airlines President Si Xian Min. "This order is based on our great experience with the 737, which is highly reliable, highly efficient and preferred by our customers."

"Boeing and China Southern Airlines have been working together for nearly two decades," said Rob Laird, vice president of Sales/China, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "China's aviation future is very strong and we believe the Boeing 737 family will continue to play a pivotal role in the development of its domestic networks."

The largest airline in the People's Republic of China for the past 23 years, China Southern Airlines connects a growing list of major business and vacation destinations served in China and around the world, including Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Guilin, Hong Kong, Kunming, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Wuhan. International service includes Amsterdam, Bangkok, Fukuoka, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Los Angeles, Manila, Melbourne, Osaka, Penang, Phnom Penh, Seoul, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo.

During the next 20 years, Boeing projects that China will be the world's second largest market for commercial jetliners, trailing only the United States. Domestic passenger traffic growth in China is expected to increase an average of 9 percent annually during the 20-year period.