(Yicai Global) Jan. 6 -- China's HNA Group and US plane maker Boeing will join hands on improving the Boeing 737 Next Generation series's maintenance.

The US firm will help the Chinese conglomerate to build a one-stop aircraft maintenance base by sending engineers to analyze data and train their HNA counterparts, Hainan Daily reported today, citing the pair's agreement.

The partnership should improve the safety of HNA's 737NG fleet and reduce maintenance costs, according to the report. The 737NG is a narrow-body aircraft that the Chicago-headquartered firm stopped producing last January to replace it with the troubled 737 Max.

HNA hopes to develop cooperation regarding multiple programs, including the Boeing 737-800, to build Hainan province into an international aviation hub, said Executive Chairman Gu Gang.

Boeing will explore more opportunities to join hands with HNA, said Gao Sixiang, vice president at the US firm's Chinese arm.

Haikou-based HNA has more than 290 Boeing aircraft.

Editor: Emmi Laine