Messier-Bugatti-Dowty carbon brakes chosen by Xiamen Airlines for Next-Generation Boeing 737 fleet

Xiamen Airlines of China has chosen wheels and carbon brakes from Messier-Bugatti-Dowty (Safran) for its fleet of Boeing Next-Generation 737 commercial twinjets.

The contract provides for wheels and carbon brakes for 142 aircraft, including 48 on order and 94 more to be retrofitted making it the largest retrofit contract that Messier-Bugatti-Dowty has ever signed in China.

Founded in 1984, Xiamen Airlines joined the SkyTeam alliance in 2012. Xiamen deploys an all-Boeing fleet, and operates nearly 3,200 flights per week to 50 destinations.

"We're delighted to count Xiamen Airlines, one of the largest carriers in China, among our customers," said Vincent Mascré, CEO of Messier-Bugatti-Dowty. "The advanced Sepcarb III OR composite we use on our carbon brakes for the 737 Next-Generation and MAX families will enable Xiamen to reduce their operating costs and environmental footprint."

"We chose the world leader in carbon brakes to outfit our Boeing Next-Generation 737 fleet. In addition to the proven weight savings and top-flight support, Messier-Bugatti-Dowty's carbon brakes have also largely proven their endurance and reliability" says the equipment selection committee of Xiamen Airlines.

The operational advantages offered by Messier-Bugatti-Dowty's carbon brakes on the Next-Generation 737 are largely recognized, especially the weight savings of 770 lb per aircraft (350 kg) compared with steel brakes, which helps reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions. They also offer superior endurance (more than 2,200 landings for overhaul), plus a three-fold decrease in maintenance costs.

Messier-Bugatti-Dowty is the world leader in carbon brakes for commercial airplanes, with a 51% market share in this sector. Messier-Bugatti-Dowty is also the leading supplier of carbon brakes on Boeing Next-Generation 737s in the Asian market.