Tag Archives: Xiamen Airlines

Xiamen Air launches the Xiamen – Amsterdam route

Xiamen Airlines (Xiamen Air) (Xiamen) has launched its first route to Europe. The Chinese airline issued this statement:

On July 26, Xiamen Airlines officially launched the carrier’s very first intercontinental route, the Xiamen-Amsterdam route. The new route marks a key milestone in the airline’s implementation of its globalization strategy.

Xiamen Airlines will operate the new route, flight numbers MF811 and MF812, with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner featuring 4 seats in first class, 18 in business and 214 in economy. The flight departs Xiamen at 11:50 p.m. every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, and arrives at Amsterdam’s Schiphol at 5:45 a.m. the next day. The flight duration is 11 hours and 55 minutes. The return journey departs Amsterdam at 12:35 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and arrives in Xiamen at 5:30 a.m. the next day, with a flight duration of 10 hours and 55 minutes. The above are all local times, and were arranged to facilitate connections to other flights after passengers reach their destinations.

The new route complements KLM Royal Dutch Airlines’ existing Xiamen-Amsterdam route — also on a three-times-a-week schedule, signifying that, starting from July 26, there will be six direct flights between Xiamen and Amsterdam weekly.

Xiamen Airlines has upgraded both the air and ground services for the new intercontinental route, with a concerted effort on integrating Chinese cultural elements into its services. As an example, the new tableware for the first class and business class cabins are made of blanc de chine, and authentic highly-reputed lapsang souchong tea will be on offer in the two cabins.

Xiamen Airlines operates a fleet of 119 Boeing jets, which is the biggest all-Boeing fleet in China. The fleet now has 5 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, with the sixth to be delivered soon. As part of the expansion plans for further intercontinental routes originating from Fujian province, the airline has ordered 4 more advanced Boeing 787-9aircraft, forming a fleet of 10 Boeing 787s.

Chairman and general manager Che Shanglun explained that Xiamen Airlines will launch a direct Xiamen-Sydney route at the end of this year. Next year, the carrier plans to launch routes to North America, completing a route network covering Europe, America and Australia, and supporting China’s “One Belt, One Road” strategy by creating a “Silk Road in the Sky.”

Xiamen Air aircraft slide show:

Xiamen Air takes delivery of its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Boeing (Chicago and Seattle) and Xiamen Airlines (Xiamen Air) (Xiamen) yesterday (August 29) celebrated the delivery of the airline’s first 787 Dreamliner.

With the delivery of its first 787-8, Xiamen Airlines becomes the third Chinese airline to operate the 787. The airline will use the 787 on long-haul routes from its Fujian province base to Europe, North America and Australia.

Formed in 1984 as China’s first joint venture between the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and a municipal government, Xiamen Airlines started services in 1985 with two Boeing 737-200s serving three cities. The carrier has grown into China’s sixth largest airline serving 218 domestic routes and 26 international and regional routes.

As part of Xiamen Airlines’ 12th five-year plan ending 2015, the carrier plans to grow its fleet to 150 airplanes, including six 787s. The 787 is the most advanced airplane in commercial aviation and will help Xiamen Airlines develop more point-to-point routes globally, while also establishing the airline as an emerging force in the commercial aviation market.

To support Xiamen Airlines’ 787, Boeing will provide a comprehensive suite of support and services that includes flight training, Airplane Health Management, electronic charts and navigation data, and Maintenance Performance Toolbox through its Commercial Aviation Services business.

Xiamen Airlines is China’s only all-Boeing carrier. In November 2013, the airline took delivery of its 100th Boeing airplane, a Next-Generation 737-800. Xiamen Airlines has a total of six 787s on order.

Copyright Photo: Bernie Leighton/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 787-8 B-2768 (msn 41538) is pictured at Paine Field near Everett, WA.

Xiamen Air:

Xiamen Air takes delivery of its 100th Boeing jet

Xiamen Air (Xiamen Airlines) (Xiamen) has reached a significant milestone. On November 12 in Seattle, Boeing delivered a brand new 737-800 airplane to Xiamen Airlines, a SkyTeam member. It is the 100th plane in the airline’s all-Boeing fleet. Boeing 737-85C B-5688 (msn 41792) was handed over at the special event (pictured).

Xiamen Airlines commenced service in 1985 with two Boeing 737-200s serving three cities. The carrier is now China’s sixth-largest, serving 218 domestic routes as well as 26 international and regional routes. With delivery of the Boeing 737-800, Xiamen Airlines’ fleet now consists of 100 aircraft. It is China’s only all-Boeing fleet and one of the world’s youngest, with an average age of 5.08 years.

Over the next two years, Xiamen Airlines plans to add 30 more Boeing 737-800s and six more Boeing 787s, expanding its fleet to 136 airplanes, and to expand globally by gradually forming a route network that radiates across the Asia Pacific region and connects with Europe and the U.S.

Xiamen Airlines’ expects to keep growing of its Boeing fleet beyond 2016. The carrier has just signed Letters of Request to buy 70 Boeing 737NGs and Boeing 737MAXs. By 2020, the fleet will grow to more than 200 airplanes.

Xiamen Airlines’ rapid growth is a testament to the tremendous growth of China’s airline business. In 1972, China established the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) as the only player in aviation, with only nine registered aircraft in the fleet. At the end of 2012, China had more than 40 airlines, with an industry-wide fleet exceeding 2,000 aircraft.

Boeing projects investments of nearly $800 billion in China for the purchase of 5,580 new commercial aircraft during the next 20 years. It would account for 16% of global demand, and reflects an average requirement of nearly 200 single-aisle and over 60 wide-body aircraft each year.

Top Copyright Photo: Boeing.

Xiamen Airlines:

Bottom Copyright Photos: Ivan K. Nishimura/Blue Wave Group. B-5688 passes through Honolulu on the long delivery flight.

Second Photo: A close-up of the special markings.

Xiamen Air finalizes its order for six Boeing 787s

Xiamen Air (Xiamen Airlines) (Xiamen) has finalized its order for six Boeing 787-8s. The first copy will be delivered on July 25, 2014 per this report by Reuters. The order was pending Chinese government approval which has now been confirmed.

Xiamen Air is owned by China Southern Airlines (51%), Xiamen Construction and Development Group (34%) and Jizhong Energy Group (15%).

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Xiamen Air:

SkyTeam welcomes Xiamen Airlines

SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, yesterday (November 21) welcomed China’s Xiamen Airlines (Xiamen) as its 19^th member. Xiamen Airlines is also the fourth member from Greater China. The airline strengthens SkyTeam’s footprint in China and its overall #1 position in the Greater China Region by adding three new hubs – Xiamen, Fuzhou and Hangzhou – combined with a comprehensive domestic and growing international network.

China’s sixth largest carrier, Xiamen Airlines is also one of the world’s most profitable, having posted positive financial results for 26 consecutive years. The airline flies more than 15 million passengers annually to more than 50 cities including Macau, Hong Kong and Taipei. Founded in 1984, it is headquartered in the coastal city of Xiamen in the dynamic province of Fujian. This area of China boasts a thriving and diverse industrial economy as well as a growing tourism market.

Xiamen Airlines’ fast expanding international network includes Southeast and Northeast Asia and the airline has announced plans to launch flights to Europe, North America and Australasia by 2014 after the introduction of the Boeing 787. SkyTeam membership offers Xiamen Airlines’ customers greater connectivity onto international routes from China operated by other alliance members. This includes carriers from the region: China Airlines, China Eastern and China Southern, and nine additional SkyTeam airlines: Aeromexico, Aeroflot, Air France, Alitalia, Delta, Kenya Airways, KLM, Korean Air and Vietnam Airlines.

Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura/Blue Wave Group. Brand new Boeing 737-85C B-5658 (msn 38395) passes through Honolulu on its long delivery flight across the Pacific Ocean. B-5658 also displays the new 2012 livery which shortened the titles to Xiamen Air.

Xiamen Air:

Xiamen Air orders 40 Boeing 737-800s

Xiamen Air (Xiamen Airlines) (Xiamen) has agreed to purchase 40 Boeing Next-Generation 737-800s. The airline plans to use the airplanes for more international routes to meet growing passenger traffic in Asia-Pacific and China.

The order, which is valued at $3.5 billion at list prices, requires Chinese Government approval and Boeing will work with Xiamen Airlines to obtain approval.

Xiamen Airlines currently operates an all-Boeing fleet of six 757 airplanes and 77 Next-Generation 737 airplanes. The carrier plans to grow its operational fleet to 200 airplanes by the end of year 2020.

Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker. Xiamen introduced this new look and adjusted name in July with B-5653. Sister ship Boeing 737-85C B-5655 (man 38392) was handed over on July 28, 2012 and is pictured departing from Boeing Field in Seattle.

Xiamen Air:

Xiamen Airlines introduces a new brand

Xiamen Airlines (Xiamen) on July 21 took possession of brand new Boeing 737-85C B-5653 (msn 38391). The arrival has ushered in a new era for the Chinese carrier. The company took the opportunity to introduce this new look which also includes calling the airline “Xiamen Air”.

Xiamen Air:

Xiamen Airlines is accepted to join the SkyTeam Alliance

Xiamen Airlines Boeing 737-85C WL B-5459 (msn 35057) BFI (Joe G. Walker), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Xiamen Airlines (Xiamen) has been accepted to start the process of formally joining the SkyTeam Alliance by the end of 2012.

Xiamen Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Xiamen Airlines to join the SkyTeam alliance

Xiamen Airlines Boeing 737-85C WL B-5459 (msn 35057) BFI (Joe G. Walker), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Xiamen Airlines (Xiamen) is planning to join the SkyTeam alliance according to this article by China Daily.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Xiamen Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Boeing delivers the 50th aircraft direct to Xiamen Airlines

Boeing (Chicago) has reached a major milestone with Xiamen Airlines (Xiamen) by delivering a Next-Generation 737-700. This is the 50th directly ordered Boeing airplane delivered to Xiamen Airlines and incorporates both the High-Altitude/High-Temperature Airport Operations Feature Package and the new Boeing Sky Interior.

China is one of the few regions that operates high altitude airports. With the High-Altitude/High-Temperature Airport Operations Feature Package, Xiamen Airlines will be able to optimize its 737-700 airplanes for operations in China’s demanding conditions. A new engine thrust rating provides additional payload capability at high altitude airports and in hot conditions, important for operations in the Tibetan plateau. Among other features that benefit airline operations, the package also includes an extended duration oxygen system and equipment designed for the enhanced navigation requirements at high altitude airports.

Established 27 years ago, Xiamen Airlines currently operates an all-Boeing fleet with Next-Generation 737-700s, -800s and 757-200s on more than 100 domestic and international routes. To date, Xiamen Airlines has ordered 83 airplanes from Boeing.

Xiamen Airlines Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Ivan K. Nishimura. Boeing 737-75C B-5279 (msn 38384) passed through Honolulu on July 29, 2011 en route to China.