Multiple Airlines, Leasing Company Filling The Order Book In Beijing

Airbus announced orders from two Chinese airlines and a leasing company on the opening day of the 15th Aviation Expo China 2013 in Beijing.

BOC Aviation, the Singapore-based aircraft leasing subsidiary of Bank of China, placed an additional firm order for the purchase of 25 A320 Family aircraft comprising 13 A320ceo and 12 A320neo family aircraft. The order comprises A320 and A321 variants. BOC Aviation will make its engine selection at a later date.
 
Today’s order from BOC Aviation for 25 more A320 Family aircraft comes less than a year after their previous order for 50 A320 Family aircraft, confirming the fast pace at which the market requires Airbus’ fuel efficient single-aisle planes.
 
“The Airbus A320 and A321 family has a proven track record of operational efficiency as well as the support of airline customers seeking a superior travel experience for passengers taking short-haul and medium-haul routes," said Robert Martin, BOC Aviation’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

Qingdao Airlines, a newly established airline based in the Eastern Chinese coastal city of Qingdao, Shandong Province, signed a purchase agreement with Airbus for a total of 23 A320 Family aircraft, including five A320ceo and 18 A320neo. The agreement was signed by He Li, director of the Board of Qingdao Airlines and Fabrice Brégier, Airbus CEO and President. The deal is subject to approval from China’s central government. The first delivery is expected to begin in 2016. The airline will start operation in 2014 with leased A320 aircraft.
 
“As a newly established airline, we need to have a thorough research before we make a decision on what aircraft to introduce to start operation and build up our brand new fleet. We pay much attention to the reliability, economics and cabin comfort of the aircraft and also take the potential for our further fleet expansion into consideration. We believe the Airbus A320 Family aircraft are the right choice,” said Xiao Liyuan, President of Qingdao Airlines.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed Wednesday between Airbus and Zhejiang Loong Airlines, a startup airline based in Hongzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang Province in Eastern China. The MoU is for 20 Airbus A320 Family aircraft, including 11 A320ceo and nine A320neo. The airline has recently been approved by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) for passenger flight operation.
 
The MoU was signed by Liu Yi, President of Zhejiang Loong Airlines and Fabrice Bregier, Airbus President and CEO, at the 15th Aviation Expo China 2013 in Beijing.

(Images provided by Airbus. Top: Artist's concept of BOC A320neo. Middle: (L-R) He Li, director of the Board of Qingdao Airlines and Fabrice Brégier. Bottom: (L-R) Liu Yi, President of Zhejiang Loong Airlines and Fabrice Bregier)

FMI: www.airbus.com