On October 12, China Southern Airlines announced to order 12 787-9 Dreamliners from Boeing Co., valued at US$3.25 billion at list price.

The Guangzhou-based carrier said in a statement, it will take delivery of the 787-9s over the period from 2018 to 2020, which have a list price of US$271 million each.

The airline plans to fund the purchase with internal resources and bank loans.

In July 2016, China Southern subsidiary Xiamen Airlines also ordered six 787-9s, worth US$1.4 billion at list prices. Delivery will be completed between 2016 and 2018.

China Southern was the first Chinese carrier to introduce 787-8 aircraft in 2013. The carrier now operates 10 787-8s on international routes from Guangzhou to London, Rome, Vancouver, Perth, Auckland and Christchurch, as well as on two business-focused domestic routes from Guangzhou to Beijing and Shanghai.