(Yicai Global) May 21 -- China Eastern Airlines has become the first Chinese aviation company to formally seek compensation from US plane maker Boeing for losses related to the grounding of its 737 Max fleet.

The airline's claim covers the grounding of 14 Boeing 737 Max aircraft since March 11 and the loss caused by delays to plane deliveries, online news outlet Sina reported, citing an unidentified insider. The report did not say what compensation China Eastern is seeking.

China was the first country to ground Boeing's best-selling 737 Max after two fatal crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia claimed over 300 lives between last October and this March. 

Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines is one of the country's biggest airlines, with about 700 aircraft in its fleet.

Editor: William Clegg