BOEING SHANGHAI AVIATION CELEBRATES HANGAR OPENING

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 (Bernama) -- Boeing, Shanghai Airport Authority and
Shanghai Airlines on Thursday celebrated the opening of a new two-bay hangar at
their joint venture, Boeing Shanghai Aviation Services Co., Ltd.

The new hangar, located at Shanghai Pudong Airport, is a major element in
Boeing Shanghai's plan to become a world-class facility and an aviation services
leader in China, the world's largest international market for Boeing commercial
airplanes, it said in a statement here Friday.

Boeing Shanghai, an MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) facility,
performs line maintenance and heavy maintenance as well as upgrades for airplane
interiors, avionics and in-flight entertainment systems.

"Boeing Shanghai's increasing capabilities will provide our Chinese airline
customers and the international market the services that will help them expand
safely and efficiently," said Lou Mancini, senior vice president, Commercial
Aviation Services, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, during the celebration.

"China and Asia are the global leaders in aviation growth, and the newly
expanded facility provides an incredible opportunity to support these expanding
fleets throughout their life cycle."

Marco Cavazzoni, chairman, Boeing Shanghai board of directors, and vice
president, Technical Services, Boeing Commercial Aviation Services; Executive
Vice President Li Derun, Shanghai Airport Authority; Chairman Zhou Chi, Shanghai
Airlines; and Bernard Hensey, CEO, Boeing Shanghai, joined Mancini in leading
the event. Several hundred government, customer and supplier representatives
toured the facility and helped celebrate the hangar opening.

Boeing Shanghai, established in June 2006, maintains and modifies Boeing
Next-Generation 737 airplanes from regional and international airlines as well
as from domestic Chinese airlines.

Boeing Shanghai plans to expand its service offerings to include twin-aisle
airplanes and passenger-to-freighter conversions.

Boeing and China have enjoyed a mutually beneficial 37-year-long
partnership, which is dedicated to the continued safe, efficient and profitable
development of the nation's airline and aviation industry.

Boeing is the largest foreign customer of China's aviation industry. China
produces parts and components for all Boeing commercial airplane programmes.
-- BERNAMA
RT