A new Boeing 737-800 Delivers
Humanitarian Aid to China

According to Boeing News dated in June 19th, 2008: Boeing, Shenzhen Airlines and Washington-Sichuan Friendship Association Delivered Humanitarian Aid to Earthquake-Stricken China: June 6th, 2008 to load 5,872 pounds of vented cone masks and coveralls into the airline's new Boeing 737-800.

The 737-800 is a stretched version of the 737-700, and replaces the 737-400. The -800 was launched by Hapag-Lloyd Flug (now TUIfly) in 1994 and entered service in 1998. The 737-800 seats 162 passengers in a two class layout, or 189 in one class, and competes with the A320. For many airlines in the U.S., the 737-800 replaced aging Boeing 727-200 trijets.

Also 737 assembly line is taking shape at Boeing's Renton, The P-8 Poseidon is a "Extended Range" 737-800ERX that, on 14 June 2004, Boeing's Integrated Defense Systems division beat Lockheed Martin in the contest to replace the P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft. Eventual orders may exceed 100 from the US Navy. The P-8 is unique in that it has 767-400ER-style raked wingtips, instead of the blended winglets available on other 737NG variants. It is a unique commercial line to produce a military derivative "in line" aircraft which the commercial 737 makes the P-8 different to any previous Boeing programme.

The newly purchased materials, which will help earthquake relief workers in their recovery efforts, were then flown over the weekend to the Chengdu Shuang Liu Airport to benefit the earthquake-damaged area of Sichuan Province in China. This effort marks the second "Flight of Hope" humanitarian relief initiative in response to the China earthquake.

"The Boeing Company is working with our airline customers and nonprofit partners to bring new materials to China to help rebuild some of the hardest hit areas damaged by the earthquake," said Fred Kiga, vice president, State and Local Government and Global Corporate Citizenship for the Northwest Region, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "It is our greatest hope that our collective efforts will bring comfort to the Chinese people during this tragic and challenging time. This collaborative work and ongoing efforts reflect our company's commitment to improve the communities around the world in which we live, work and support."

On June 7, Boeing employees and several elected Washington state officials, including Lt. Gov. Brad Owen and State Sen. Jim Kastama, joined Jimmy Chen, vice chair of the Washington-Sichuan Friendship Association, and others to celebrate the delivery of the humanitarian-relief materials. In additional, "Bag of Love," a sack containing more than 800 greeting cards and letters written by Pierce County schoolchildren for their counterparts in the earthquake-affected region.

Chen said he hopes the Washington-Sichuan Friendship Association's contribution, which was sponsored by Seattle-based Trident Seafoods and Tacoma-based Chinese Community of Tacoma, will result in an educational and cultural exchange program with China.

"The event was sensational," Chen said. "The citizens of Washington state share the sadness of the Sichuan people and send encouragement and hope for recovery in the coming days."

Jiang Pan, vice general manager of Shenzhen Airlines' Flight Department and captain of the 737-800 delivery airplane, said it was important to him to be able to personally deliver the relief supplies back to China. "We want relief for all the people in the earthquake area," Pan said.

Sincere condolences and prayers to those of who lost loved ones for the Sichuan earthquake victims and our deepest sympathies…. : .

Reported by catch4all.com, Sandra Englund, June 24th, 2008.

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