China Southern Orders Seven Boeing Freighters, Including First Chinese 777-8Fs

SINGAPORE—China Southern Airlines has ordered seven Boeing freighters, comprising two 777Fs and five 777-8Fs, becoming the first Chinese carrier to commit to Boeing's latest freighter variant. The agreement also includes options for three additional 777-8Fs, all destined for the airline's cargo subsidiary.

The Guangzhou-based carrier said in a Shanghai Stock Exchange filing that the firm order is valued at $3.62 billion at list prices, rising to $5.24 billion if all options are exercised.

Deliveries are scheduled between 2027 and 2034.

China Southern said the acquisition will support continued growth in cross-border e-commerce, the Greater Bay Area and China's Belt and Road Initiative, while expanding cargo capacity, improving fleet efficiency and strengthening its position in the air freight market.

China Southern Cargo already operates 19 Boeing 777Fs, according to Aviation Week Fleet Discovery data.

In May, during U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing, China committed to ordering 200 Boeing airplanes, its first order from the U.S. air framer in nine years. Shortly after that, in an interview with Aviation Week, CEO Kelly Ortberg said he “absolutely” saw the potential for more 777 sales to China.

The freighter announcement came on the same day that fellow state-owned carrier China Eastern Airlines disclosed an order for 25 Airbus A330neos, as well as earlier commitment from Air China for A350Fs, underscoring a new found widebody investment by China's major airlines.