SEATTLE, March 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA), in conjunction with Air China and Air China Cargo, announced today that the airlines will expand the use of Boeing’s Airplane Health Management (AHM) system to monitor the in-flight condition of the carriers’ Boeing 777 and 747-400 fleets.

The new agreement adds 42 in-service and on-order airplanes to a previous agreement to monitor 117 Air China 737s that are in service and on order. Air China is Boeing’s first Chinese customer for AHM and the 33rd commercial customer overall.

“We are certain that Boeing’s Airplane Health Management will benefit our passengers and cargo customers who count on Air China and Air China Cargo meeting our schedules,” said Air China Chief Engineer Zhong Detao. “This will improve our entire operation.”

Airplane Health Management captures and evaluates critical real-time in-flight flying condition data and relays the information to maintenance controllers. That allows the airline to turn a potentially time-consuming and costly maintenance delay into a well-planned and more easily accomplished repair. Airlines are better able to meet flight schedules, benefiting the airline, passengers and other cargo customers.

The AHM system helps airlines identify and respond to problems proactively while accessing a multiple operator knowledge base, so repair decisions are more reliable and the airplane is available for service more quickly.

“Airplane Health Management is a key tool in working with our customers in our mutual pursuit of greater efficiency,” said Dennis Floyd, vice president, Technical Services for Commercial Aviation Services at Boeing. “The expansion of AHM coverage at Air China and Air China Cargo will provide them an advantage in the highly competitive Chinese aviation market.”

AHM is a component in Boeing’s larger vision of Lifecycle Solutions – improving airline efficiency with digital productivity tools, product and industry expertise and the power of aviation’s leading integrated supply chain, supporting Boeing airplanes from order placement through retirement.

Air China operates 10 Boeing 777-200s and 10 747-400s. Air China Cargo operates seven 747-400 freighters, including two Boeing Converted Freighters.

Source: Boeing