LONDON – Airbus has just confirmed the signing of order with 4 Chinese airlines – Air China, China Eastern, China Southern and Shenzen Airlines for a total of 292 A320 family aircraft.
The move demonstrates both the positive recovery momentum in the post-Covid setting, and also the buoyant and prosperous outlook for the Chinese aviation market in general.
Airbus management comments
“These new orders demonstrate the strong confidence in Airbus from our customers,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer and Head of International.
“It is also a solid endorsement from our airline customers in China of the performance, quality, fuel efficiency and sustainability of the world’s leading family of single aisle aircraft.”
“We commend the excellent work by George Xu and the entire Airbus China team as well as our customers’ teams for having brought to conclusion these long and extensive discussions that have taken place throughout the difficult COVID pandemic.”
As of the end of May 2022, the combined in-service fleet of Airbus aircraft with Chinese operators totalled 2,070 aircraft.
The current brokered agreement for a further 292 aircraft is significant.
A320neo Family aircraft
The purchase agreement for the efficient A320neo Family aircraft further demonstrates the enduring confidence of airline stakeholders in both the Airbus brand and the A320 Family model concept.
The A320neo model incorporates new generation engines and aerodynamic enhancements including the prominent sharklets.
Taken together, these enhancements deliver at least 20 percent better fuel economy and CO2 emissions savings. A 50 percent noise reduction is further claimed, making the model extremely efficient in a world setting where sustainability and green operation has become a major cacth-cry.
In terms of passenger comfort, the A320neo offers unmatched comfort levels across all seating classes, and is characterised by the Airbus 18-inch wide seats in its Economy class.
As of the end of May, the A320neo Family has boasted more than 8,000 orders across more than 130 customers worldwide.
Positivity in the China aviation market
Following a period of relatively severe national restrictions throughout the Covid pandemic era, the bulk order of 292 aircraft is a significant landmark.
As an indicator of general market confidence it is particularly notable.
Prior to the global pandemic and the attendant depression of the world aviation market, China has the fastest growing passenger air market of any country in the world, based on number of passengers.
Airbus have not announced the dispersal numbers of the 292 aircraft across the four nominated Chinese airlines at this stage.
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