Article Posted on : - Mar 08, 2011

The 747-8 Intercontinental in Air China livery. A Boeing photo

HONG KONG (BNS): China’s flagship carrier Air China has placed orders with Boeing to buy five 747-8 intercontinental passenger jets.

The Beijing-based airline has become the first Chinese carrier and third international customer to order the new commercial planes.

The deal is subject to approval by the Chinese government, Boeing said.

The US aviation major had officially unveiled the new jumbo jet at its Everett facility in Washington last month.

By that time, the company had received orders from two airlines – Korean Air and Lufthansa – for 33 such jets.

The new wide-body 747-8 intercontinental jetliner belonging to the Boeing 747 family of commercial planes has been designed with higher capability and fuel efficiency. The aircraft features a new wing design and an upgraded flight deck.

The ‘green’ jet also incorporates technological advancement. Using 787-technology GEnx-2B engines, the airplane will be quieter, produce lower emissions and achieve better fuel economy than any competing jetliner. It also increases cargo volume by 26 percent, according to Boeing.