Hainan Airlines discloses plans to sell nine Boeing 787-8 fleets to further “optimize” the fleet structure and reduce operational costs.
The disposal includes “market-oriented methods” including direct sales and leases, Hainan adds that it was greenlighted by the airline's board of directors on January 27th.
Hainan adds that the transaction is subject to shareholder approval and does not identify opponents of the transaction.
The airline's 787-8 is powered by the GE Aviation Genx-1B engine and is configured to seat 213 passengers in two classes. The nine jets are 10-12 years old.
According to the airline, the -8S accounts for less than 3% of the total aircraft operation. Kainan also operates a larger -9, with a fleet of 28 examples.
Kainan says it is disposing of the -8S to “more optimise the structure of the fleet, … reduce operational costs, and remove (Fleet Economics).)”.
