Boeing, Airbus announce China sales

Boeing and Airbus both announced their first China sales for their next generation of airliners, the 7E7 Dream Liner — just renamed the 787 — and the A380 superjumbo. Both companies have been battling hard to secure their first sales for their new aircraft in the world's fastest growing aviation market, but Boeing's deal to supply 60 aircraft was by far the biggest in terms of financial value. At list price, the planes would add up to a US$7.2bn order, but it is thought that volume discounting and the fact this is China's first 7E7 order would bring the bill closer to US$4bn. Airbus said its five A380s — ordered by China Southern Airlines — were worth US$1bn. The 7E7/787 order is the largest order yet for the plane, which has yet to go into production. The aircraft are to go to Xiamen Airlines, China Southern, China Eastern, Air China, Hainan and Shanghai airlines, Boeing said.