China Southern to split its 45 aircraft order between Boeing and Airbus

Beijing: China Southern Airlines (CSA) announced on Tuesday that it would purchase a total of 45 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus. The order would be split along the lines of 20 Airbus 320 and 25 Boeing 737-800 aircraft, at a total cost of US$3.69 billion (23.5 billion yuan). China Southern, along with Air China and China Eastern Airlines, is one of the three largest Chinese carriers.

According to CSA, the purchase would increase its operating capacity by about 19.5 per cent.

While the list prices for A320s range between $US66.5 - 85.9 million, and that of Boeing aircraft between $US70.5 - 79 million, it is expected that China Southern would be able to get discounts for itself.

CSA said that the A320s would be delivered between March 2009 and August 2010, while Boeing would deliver the B737-800s between July 2011 and November 2013 to the Xiamen Airlines, in which China Southern holds a 60-per cent stake.

The airline said it would finance the purchase with its own capital and bank loans.

The company carried 49.21 million passengers in 2006, making it the only carrier on the Chinese mainland to rank among the world's top 10 passenger transport airlines, according to its website.