China Eastern cancels order for Boeing 787s

[FarCenter]

BEIJING - Chinese airlines that used to boast about ambitious international expansion plans are now turning their focus back home as the weakening global economy hurts demand for long-haul air travel.

China Eastern Airlines Corp, the country's second-largest carrier by aircraft numbers, announced on Monday night it was canceling its order for 24 Boeing 787 Dreamliners in favor of 45 smaller 737s, which will be delivered between 2014 and 2016.

The airline cited the delay in the delivery of the Dreamliner and a weakening world economy, which is hurting long-haul international air travel, as the reason for the cancellation.

"We are not optimistic about the international market in the next two years, for the weakening global economy hurts air travel," said Luo Zhuping, secretary of the board of China Eastern. "We are making rapid moves to serve domestic demand, which is still robust at the moment," Luo said.

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90778/7620495.html

---

Swapping international aircraft for ones to be used on domestic routes.