Donghai Airlines selects Messier-Bugatti-Dowty wheels and carbon brakes

Donghai Airlines of China has selected Messier-Bugatti-Dowty (Safran) wheels and carbon brakes for its Boeing 737 Next-Generation fleet.

The contract covers 19 airplanes for delivery starting in 2015, including two in-service aircraft to be retrofitted.

Traditionally specialized in air cargo services, Donghai Airlines began commercial passenger flights in March 2014. Adding these new Boeing 737 Next-Generation twinjets will enable the airline, based in Shenzhen, in southeast China, to expand its network of domestic destinations.

Lu Bing, Donghai Airlines Vice President and General Manager of Maintenance Engineering, said: “We chose the reliability of Messier-Bugatti-Dowty carbon brakes to support our entry into the passenger market. Offering superior performance than steel brakes, these carbon brakes clearly reflect our strategy, which is to be recognized for our service quality.”

The operational advantages of the Messier-Bugatti-Dowty carbon brake on the 737 Next-Generation are well known, especially weight savings per aircraft of 770 pounds (350 kg) versus steel brakes, which decreases fuel consumption and therefore CO2 emissions. In addition, these carbon brakes offer far superior endurance (over 2,200 landings per overhaul) and maintenance costs divided by three.

Vincent Mascré, Chairman and CEO of Messier-Bugatti-Dowty, added, “We are delighted with our selection by Donghai, and welcome the opportunity to provide high-performance products that will support our customer’s business development. This contract also reinforces our leadership position in the Asian market for Boeing 737 Next-Generation carbon brakes.”