10 Boeing 787s Have Been Purchased

After being axed by China Southern Airlines, 10 Boeing 787-8s have finally found a buyer: Avolon, a leading global lessor, has acquired the units.

Announced in a deal via the Bohai Leasing discussions and valued at around $550 million at auction, the transaction marks a swift turnaround, bringing these jets, which had a resale opportunity, into the lessor’s hands.

2 GEnx-1B70 spare engines also complement the 10 mid-life Boeing 787 aircraft. The Dreamliner variant selected is the 787-8, and the deal also does not require shareholder approval.

A Complicated 787 Sale Process

China Southern Airlines, one of Asia’s most important airlines, let alone within China, initiated the move to remove these Boeing 787-8 aircraft nearly 18 months ago when it opened bidding for such a transaction.

Unfortunately, bidding was quickly halted when, in April 2025, the airline had reportedly suspended plans to sell its 787-8 fleet due to escalating trade tensions between China and the United States.

All this also occurred at the same time as China refused to take delivery of new Boeing aircraft and prioritised older aircraft to meet capacity and combat the already delayed delivery of new aircraft from planemakers, even without tensions.

Eventually, the process recommenced with the aircraft being put back up for sale; however, finding a buyer seemed easier said than done, with the ongoing complexities of companies dealing with China. These aircraft nevertheless still felt like a valuable asset to someone.

Why China Southern Sold Its 787-8 Fleet

China Southern Airlines’ removal of the Boeing 787-8 isn’t a decision across the industry that is isolated, nor is it one that is hard to see as a surprise.

The aircraft has been perceived as unfavourable by some airlines worldwide for being the smallest in the series and a jet that, while still offering great performance, isn’t a variant in the program that accommodates enough passengers across the desired markets.

So, while on paper not a bad aircraft, the jet has served its purpose now in the fleet of China Southern, and the business instead looks to cut its losses, removing the variant entirely and instead focusing on other long-haul models such as the 787-9 more strictly, which fits better in with its operations now.

With the trajectory of not just airlines but also China Southern, smaller models within widebody aircraft families such as the Boeing 787-8, the 777-8, and even the Airbus A330-800 have all become more niche-focused, with their appeal and adoption significantly reduced.