=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/2005/01/28/f= inancial0649EST0025.DTL --------------------------------------------------------------------- Friday, January 28, 2005 (AP) Chinese airlines announce purchase of 60 Boeing jetliners for $7.3 billion (01-28) 03:49 PST BEIJING (AP) -- Six Chinese airlines signed a deal Friday to buy 60 of Boeing Co.'s new 7E7 jetliners for a combined $7.3 billion, one of the carriers announced. It was the biggest single aircraft purchase to date by Chinese airlines and gives Boeing a boost in its competition with European rival Airbus for business in China. The first of the so-called super-efficient jetliners will be delivered in 2008, Xiamen Airlines Co. said in a statement. The other carriers are Air China, China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines Co., Shanghai Airlines Co. and Hainan Airlines Co., the statement said. Xiamen Airlines said it plans to introduce a 7E7 aircraft each year duri= ng 2008 and 2010. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2005 AP