China's Okay Airways commits to 12 more Boeing-737s

China's Okay Airways signed a commitment for 12 Boeing-737 jets on the second day of the Singapore Airshow on Wednesday.

The commitment includes eight B-737 MAX 8s, three B-737 MAX 9s and one next generation B-737-900 extended range version with the total deal worth $1.3 billion at list prices, Xinhua reported.

The agreement is subject to the approval of the Chinese government and will be posted to Boeing's Orders and Deliveries website once all contingencies are cleared.

"We greatly value the ties we have built over the years with Boeing," said Okay Airways Chairman Wang Shusheng.

"The Boeing Next-Generation 737 has been the mainstay of our fleet since we started operations. The introduction of additional 737s, including the new 737 MAX, will further modernise our fleet and ensure we operate the most efficient fleet well into the future."

This commitment marks the first 737 MAX 9 order by a Chinese airline and bolsters Okay Airways' 737 MAX portfolio to 17 airplanes.

Included as part of the agreement, Okay Airways has rights to exercise options for eight additional 737 MAX 8 airplanes.

"We are honoured to welcome Okay Airways as our newest 737 MAX 9 customer," said Ray Conner, president and CEO, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

"The reaffirmation of additional 737-900ERs and 737 MAX 8s is a testament to the success that Okay Airways has established with the 737 family. We look forward to extending our partnership with Okay for decades to come."

Okay Airways, the first privately owned airline in China, is headquartered in Beijing with its main hub at Tianjin Binhai International Airport.

The airline's fleet includes 14 737-800s, three 737-900ERs and one Boeing 737-300 Freighter, which serves more than 100 domestic and international routes.