Beijing, Jun 3 (IANS): A Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the first of its kind to be delivered to China, landed at Baiyun International Airport in the south China city of Guangzhou Sunday.
The 228-seat aircraft, operated by China Southern Airlines, will help improve the loading capacity on the company's international routes as well as the service quality, said Tan Wangeng, president of China Southern Airlines.
After 25 hours of certification flights to check the aircraft's airworthiness, it will perform flight tasks between Guangzhou and Beijing June 6. In the future, it is expected to serve international routes from Guangzhou to Paris, Vancouver, London or Auckland, reported Xinhua.
With advanced engines and light composite materials, the aircraft is expected to consume 20 percent less fuel and release 20 percent less emissions than conventional models, said Tan.
So far, China Southern is the only airline operating the long-haul aircraft Boeing 787 and Airbus 380 models.