China Southern Airlines Co. will buy ten Boeing B787 aircraft, a new model, the company announced on August 31.

    According to a contract signed with Boeing Company Tuesday, allthe aircraft shall be delivered between July 2008 and August 2010.

    The list price of each B787 aircraft, according to Boeing's website, is between 125 to 135 million US dollars.

    The latest Boeing product, the B787 consumes 20 percent less fuel compared with similar planes.

    Additionally, its maintenance cost will be 15 percent less thanaircraft of the same level.

    China Southern Airlines said its B787's will be mainly used forlong-distance flights, especially international lines.

    Earlier this month, Chinese Airlines signed a 6-billion-US-dollar deal with Boeing to purchase 50 Boeing B787 jetliners.

    China Southern Airlines said the new planes can better meet the demand of China's fast-growing civil aviation industry. They can help airlines reduce operating expenses, provide better services to passengers and enhance competitiveness.

    China Southern Airlines Co. ranks first among Chinese airline companies numbers of aircraft, lines and passengers. In 2004, the company transported 40 million passengers and became one of the top ten global airline companies.