Hainan Airlines may switch order for 10 Dreamliners for bigger Boeing 747-8

"If it is a good airplane we will consider it because the 787 has taken so long to come out,” HNA Group’s Chen said yesterday in an interview in Beijing. The late arrival of the Dreamliners has caused “a lot of trouble,” he said. The carrier has ordered 10 787-8s, according to Boeing’s website.

The airline, which intends to grow its fleet at least 10 percent a year, may opt for the larger 747-8 as China’s economic growth spurs travel, Chen said. A swap would also boost the backlog for Chicago-based Boeing’s biggest passenger plane, which has won 36 orders in more than five years.

"We’re loyal customers,” Chen said. “We’re promoting the development of Sino-U.S. economic relations.”

Hainan Air closed unchanged at 5.10 yuan in Shanghai trading today. It has risen 14 percent this year.

Boeing delivered the first 787 to All Nippon Airways Co. in September, more than three years late, because of delays caused by new production techniques and materials. The plane is the first to be largely built from carbon-fiber reinforced plastics.

China Eastern Airlines Corp., the nation’s second-biggest carrier, dropped 24 orders for the 787 in favor of 45 737 planes last year, citing delays. China Southern Airlines Co. and Air China Ltd., the nation’s other two big carriers, still hold Dreamliner orders.

Deutsche Lufthansa AG is the biggest customer for the 747-8 Intercontinental, with 20 orders. Boeing has also sold the aircraft to Korean Air Lines Co. (003490), Arik Air and unidentified VIP customers.

Boeing expects to complete the test flights needed for the 747-8 to win certification for commercial service within a week, it said Feb. 28. The freighter version entered service last year.