Four New Aircraft To “Open Southwest China Skies”

Airbus made further inroads into China last week by inking a deal with Sichuan Airlines for another four aircraft. The A319s will be based at the new Jiuhuang Airport and will operate in a part of China the airline says was previously underserved by air carriers.

China Daily reports the deal is part of a much larger agreement between Airbus and China’s Aviation Supplies Import and Export Group for a total of 30 aircraft.

"Introduction of the A319 aircraft fits our strategic development in the western region of China,'' said Sichuan Airlines President Lan Xinguo. "The western areas are attracting more and more passengers traveling both for business and pleasure.''

"Airbus attaches great importance to its traditional relations with Sichuan Airlines,” Noel Forgeard, Airbus' president and CEO, said. “We are convinced that the A319 will further boost the fast development of the airline.''

That’s more than idle PR babble. Airbus and China have a relationship that goes all the way back to 1985.  Sichuan Airlines alone has eleven Airbus planes in its fleet – eight A320s and three A321s. In all, Chinese airlines fly about 200 Airbus aircraft.

Airbus also built and operates an $80 million customer service training center in Beijing. Four Chinese companies contribute components to Airbus aircraft. Among other things, they manufacture wings, passenger doors and special maintenance tools.

FMI: http://info.scsti.ac.cn/English/eco/air.html