China Southern to simplify its widebody fleet
November 26, 2024
China Southern Airlines is to streamline its fleet with the proposed sale of all 10 of its Boeing 787-8 aircraft, along with two GE Aerospace GEnx-1B engines.
The move aligns with the carrier’s focus on simplifying operations and optimising fleet efficiency. Introduced to its fleet in 2013, the 787-8s, including the inaugural airframe B-2725, are now set for potential delivery to buyers in 2025 and 2026.
China Southern’s proposal highlights broader industry trends, as airlines globally reassess fleet compositions to navigate fluctuating travel demands and operational challenges. The carrier has already decommissioned its fleet of five Airbus A380s.
Left in its widebody fleet are A330s, A350s and B777s, alongside 18 of the larger -9 Dreamliner variant.
Interested parties were invited to submit preliminary expressions of interest by November 25, with technical specifications and detailed condition reports to follow by November 30 for qualified bidders.
China Southern is one of Asia’s largest airline by fleet size, operating more than 650 aircraft. The Guangzhou-based carrier serves an extensive network, connecting more than 170 destinations across 40 countries, with hubs in Guangzhou and Beijing Daxing.
It was the first Chinese airline to join the SkyTeam Alliance in 2007, though it exited in 2020 to pursue independent partnerships.
