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China Southern Airlines, the largest airline in Asia by fleet size, has announced plans to sell its entire fleet of 10 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft along with two spare GEnx-1B70/P2 engines. The sale will be conducted through open bidding, as stated in an official notice on the airline's website. These aircraft have been in service for over a decade and are expected to be delivered to the buyer between 2025 and 2026, pending board approval.
The decision marks a shift in China Southern's fleet strategy as it focuses on modernizing its widebody fleet. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was first introduced by China Southern in 2013, making it the first Chinese airline to operate this model. Initially used on long-haul and domestic routes, the aircraft later became integral to operations in Xinjiang, serving major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu.
Over time, the Boeing 787-8 has been overshadowed by the larger Boeing 787-9 due to its smaller passenger capacity and higher per-seat costs. The 787-9 offers greater seating capacity and improved operational efficiency, making it more suitable for modern fleets.
