News
Shandong Airlines and CDB strengthen ties with 100th aircraft delivery
March 3rd 2017
Jinan-based Shandong Airlines this week received its 100th aircraft, a B737-800 on lease from China Development Bank’s aircraft leasing arm, CDB Aviation Lease Finance. Read More » Founded in 1994, Shandong Airlines is a fully-owned Air China subsidiary, although it itself holds a 10% equity in fledgling Sichuan Airlines.
Shandong Airlines operates a vast domestic network from its bases in Jinan, Beijing, Qingdao and Yantai. It also flies to Cambodia, Thailand, India, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan. The delivery of Shandong’s 100th aircraft was the carrier's eighth aircraft on lease from CDB Aviation.
Miao Liubing, general manager at the carrier, said the fleet addition was "a significant milestone” for the airline that would strengthen its market share. “We expect to continue this long-term partnership with CDB Aviation into the future," Miao added.
The news follows recent appointments of key executives to CDB Aviation's leadership team as part of a new strategic direction in positioning the company as a leading global aviation leasing business.
CDB Aviation president and CEO, Peter Chang, this week announced that "CDB Aviation will soon make another major announcement of additional industry heavyweights to join its management team as the company accelerates momentum in executing on its strategy to innovate and benefit its airline customers globally”.
Shandong and Boeing announced an order for 50 B737s in 2014 but the status of this order is unknown. It is not listed on Boeing’s orders and deliveries website.
Another Asia-Pacific lessor had reason to celebrate this week. Singapore’s BOC Aviation on Thursday took delivery of its 200th Boeing aircraft. The B737-800 was delivered to Lion Air Group and will be operated by its Malaysian affiliate, Malindo Air, based in Kuala Lumpur.
