Six Chinese airlines on Friday will sign a preliminary agreement to buy dozens of 7E7s from the Boeing Co.
The Chinese government reportedly is interested in buying 60 Dreamliners for its six airlines – Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, Hainan, Shanghai and Xiamen.
The order, which would be the largest Dreamliner deal to date, would be worth about $7.5 billion at list prices, although its highly likely the Chinese are receiving a discount. It would give Boeing 186 announced 7E7 orders. Of those, final contracts have been signed for 56.
Boeing spokesman Todd Blecher confirmed that the Chinese are ordering 7E7s, but said it was up to the customers to announce details. He called the deal a substantial agreement.
All Chinese airliner orders are approved by the government and made through its China Aviation Supply Co.
Boeing has invited VIPs to the midday signing ceremony at the Commerce Department in Washington DC. Chinese Ambassador Yang Jiechi and Boeing Commercial Airplanes chief Alan Mulally will be among the signers.
Chinese officials also are expected to be in Paris Friday to sign a deal to buy five A380 superjumbo jets from Airbus.
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