The 30-year legend history of China's first Boeing 737-300 fleet came to an end after China Eastern Yunnan Airlines (MU) announced to officially retire its last 737-300 aircraft (B-2986) on Dec. 17.

The Kunming-based regional carrier held a farewell ceremony for the retirement of the 737-300 fleet. The B-2986 aircraft was firstly delivered to China Yunnan Airlines in December 1997 and then transferred to China Eastern Yunnan in March 2004.

China took delivery of the very first 737-300 aircraft at Kunming Wujiaba International Airport on November 28, 1985. In the past 30 years, the regional airline's 737-300 fleet had flown on domestic routes for more than 830,000 hours, operating 1.1 million aircraft movements and over 600 rescue and disaster relief flights.

In the second half of this year, China Eastern Yunnan has phased out five 737-300s, Registration B-2955, B-2983, B-2981, B-2985 and B-2986.

With all of Boeing 737-300s phased out, the airline's fleet now has 69 aircraft including 47 737-300s, 24 737-800s and three Airbus A330-200s, making it one of the most modern and environmentally friendly in China.