Overview
- China Southern filed a stock exchange notice late June confirming an agreement to buy two 777F freighters and five next‑generation 777‑8Fs with options on three more aircraft.
- The transaction is shown at list price of about US$3.62 billion and would rise to roughly US$5.24 billion if options are exercised, but the carrier says Boeing granted a significant discount and the airline will make partial prepayments.
- Deliveries are planned in batches from 2027 through 2034 and the three optioned 777‑8Fs must be converted up to 36 months before their scheduled delivery dates.
- China Southern says the new freighters will expand capacity for cross‑border e‑commerce and support national initiatives such as the Greater Bay Area and Belt and Road, with the carrier expecting improved profitability and competitiveness.
- The order is the first confirmed mainland‑China commitment for the 777‑8F and offers Boeing program momentum as it trails Airbus’s A350F in large next‑generation freighter orders, but the deal cannot proceed until shareholders and national regulators sign off.