The Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines Co., Ltd. has recently ordered 16 737 NG airplanes from the U.S.-based Boeing.

The cost is estimated at approximately 7.4 billion yuan (US$912 million), company sources said.

Delivery of the aircraft will begin in March 2009 and end in 2010.

According to Luo Zhaogeng, general manager of the China Eastern, the airlines' fleet is continuing to expand.

Last year the fleet boasted 180 passenger and cargo planes, with an average service term of 6.3 years. It will be expanded to 198 planes, with such novices as A330 series, Boeing 737s and ERJ 145s, Luo said. The number will increase to 218 in 2007, Luo added.

One of the three largest state-owned aviation groups, the China Eastern is listed on Hong Kong, New York and Shanghai. It operates more than 400 international and domestic routes.

The other two are Air China and China Southern Airlines.

(Xinhua News Agency April 28, 2006)