=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This article was sent to you by someone who found it on SFGate. The original article can be found on SFGate.com here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/news/archive/2005/01/26/f= inancial0759EST0035.DTL --------------------------------------------------------------------- Wednesday, January 26, 2005 (AP) Boeing cites strong interest from Chinese airlines CHRISTOPHER BODEEN, Associated Press Writer (01-26) 04:59 PST SINGAPORE (AP) -- Chinese carriers have expressed strong interest in Boeing's future 7E7 passenger jet, company sales executives said Wednesday, pointing to increased competition in the fast-growing market against European rival Airbus, which is also targeting Chinese buyers with its recently unveiled A380 superjumbo. The executives wouldn't give details of any talks with Chinese carriers, who have increasingly divided their purchases between Airbus and Boeing after years of dominance by Boeing. China is expected to have the fastest-growing demand for passenger jets over the next 20 years, developing into the world's No. 2 market after the United States. "There is a great deal of interest" in the 7E7, marketing director Randy J. Tinseth, said in a round-table discussion with reporters in Singapore, a regional aviation hub. "We don't share the negotiations we have, but we're working closely with= a number of airlines in China, and there is great interest in a variety of products," Tinseth said. Boeing has put China's demand for commercial jets at 2,300 planes over t= he next 20 years, and Tinseth said the largest portion of those would be for smaller, single aisle jets, such as the Boeing 737 or Airbus A340. The three models of 7E7 can carry between 223 and 296 passengers. Chinese airlines are expected to take delivery of 147 planes this year to add to their current combined fleet of about 700 planes. However, any new deals will likely have to wait at least 11 months -- China has reportedly forbidden its airlines from placing any new orders or leasing any new planes during 2005, citing safety concerns. The executives' remarks follow Airbus' unveiling of the A380 last week at a lavish ceremony in France. Airbus's plane can carry more than 555 passengers -- 33 percent more than the 747 -- representing a vision of global aviation radically different from Boeing's in which industry deregulation and smaller, long-range planes allow passengers increasingly to fly direct. Chinese carriers have yet to order any A380s and a sales push during French President Jacque Chirac's visit to the country last fall produced no word on future purchases. Boeing has collected 126 orders for the 7E7 since it began selling the plane last April, about two-thirds of them from airlines in Asia. Airbus has taken 149 orders for the A380 over the past four years, including from major Asian carriers such as Singapore Airlines. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2005 AP