Story ID: 
China supplying Dreamliner parts
By: AIN Staff
Caption: Boeing has signed the first firm contract with Chinese suppliers to build parts for the new 787 Dreamliner.
Word Count: 261
Boeing has signed the first firm contract with Chinese suppliers to build parts for the new 787 Dreamliner. Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president and general manager of airplane production Carolyn Corvi represented Boeing in Beijing to finalize contracts for the 787 composite rudder, the 737 forward entry door and the 737 automatic over-wing exit door with Chengdu Aircraft, a China Aviation Industry Corp. I (AVIC I) affiliated company. The company also completed contracts for the 787 wing-to-body fairing panels with Hafei Aviation Industry, an AVIC II company. 

Other recent deals included a memorandum of understanding with Shenyang Aircraft Corp. for the leading edge assembly for the 787’s vertical fin. BHA Aero Composite Parts signed agreements to build the interior panels for the 777 control cabin, as well as the wing-to-body fairing panels and tail cone for the  737. BHA is an equity-share joint venture between Boeing, Hexcel Corp. and AVIC I. 

Boeing has also decided to substantially increase component production rates at Shanghai Aviation, Xi'an Aircraft and Shenyang Aircraft for the manufacture of 737 empennages, including the vertical fin and horizontal stabilizer. 

Boeing now holds $1.6 billion worth of contracts with China’s aviation industry. More than 3,500 Boeing airplanes–one-third of Boeing's world fleet–contain major parts and assemblies built in China. 

Over the next 20 years, Boeing forecasts that China will need 2,300 jetliners, becoming one of the world’s largest airplane markets. Boeing has offered free training to more than 27,000 Chinese pilots; maintenance, flight operations, quality and manufacturing personnel; executives and managers.