Two Chinese airlines have inked a deal with US aircraft giant Boeing to introduce nine Boeing 737 planes, the Economic Information Daily reported on Thursday.

According to the report, Shanghai-based Eastern airlines signed on Tuesday a 1.84-billion yuan (US$228 million) contract with Boeing for purchasing four 737 planes.

On the same day, Shenzhen Airlines in south China also made a deal with Boeing to buy five 737-800 planes, which will be delivered to Shenzhen Airlines in 2008.

The report did not give detail on the value of the contract.

(Xinhua News Agency December 23, 2005)