Ruili Airlines has committed to purchase 30 737 MAXs with the financial support of AVIC International Leasing, amid a surge in China's passenger traffic.
The commitment, valued at $3.2 billion at current list prices, will be subject to the approval of the Chinese government and will be posted on Boeing's Orders & Deliveries website once all contingencies are cleared.
"Today's agreement demonstrates our ambition to grow from a start-up airline to a driving force in China's growing aviation industry," said Ma Zhanwei, president of Ruili Airlines. "With the competitive advantages offered by the 737 MAX, and the solid partnership with Boeing as well as aircraft leasing giants, we feel very confident in our ability to fulfill continuous growth."
Currently, Ruili Airlines operates 34 daily flights on 11 scheduled routes with a fleet of five Boeing 737 airplanes. According to its development plan, the start-up carrier will expand its fleet to seven aircraft by the end of this year and 26 by 2020.