Why it matters
Affects 6 airline programs (Avolon, Bohai Leasing, China Southern...).
What happened
China Southern Airlines has finalized the sale of its 10 Boeing 787-8 aircraft to Bohai Leasing through its subsidiary Avolon. The Master Sale and Purchase Agreement was signed on February 27, 2026, with a market value of around $532 million. The final price will be determined through an exchange bidding process. The aircraft, delivered in 2013 and 2014, are configured with 266 seats (18 business, 248 economy) and have primarily operated out of Ürümqi. China Southern initiated the sale in 2024 to optimize its fleet structure, focusing on larger widebody aircraft, but paused the process in early 2025 due to tariff uncertainty before resuming it. While not explicitly confirmed in the sale announcement, the aircraft are highly likely destined for Thai Airways. Thai Airways has previously indicated it is acquiring 10 787-8s through a leasing company with deliveries expected in the coming months to support network growth. This acquisition allows Thai Airways to expand its widebody fleet quickly without waiting for new deliveries
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