Air China orders 60 Boeing 737s for more than $8 billion

NEW YORK - US airplane maker Boeing said Monday that Air China has ordered 60 of its 737 jets, including some from the fuel-efficient 737 MAX series, valued at more than US$6 billion (S$8 billion).

"We are excited to see that the 737 family will play a significant role in Air China's continued success," said Ihssane Mounir, Boeing's vice president of sales and marketing for Northeast Asia.

Boeing said the Air China orders will only be added to its official log once the details are finalized.

As of December 16, Boeing had net orders of commercial aircraft in 2014 of 1,317 planes, just shy of the 1,355 for 2013.

The 737, popular for its fuel efficiency, accounted for the largest number of orders with 1,019.

Boeing shares rose 0.4 per cent in pre-market trade to US$126.78.