China Aviation Supplies Import and Export Group signs agreement for 150 Airbus Aircraft

On Monday, Airbus signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) to formalise the commitment of allocating 5% of the A350XWB airframe to the Chinese aviation industry.

Airbus also signed a Heads of Agreement with China Aviation Industry Corporation II (AVIC II) to develop a new cooperation model to support the A350XWB industrialization.

According to the HoA between Airbus and AVIC II, a joint venture manufacturing centre is to be established in Harbin by Airbus and Harfei Aviation Industry Company Ltd, a subsidiary of AVIC II, to produce composite material parts and components for Airbus A350XWB.

The manufacturing centre is expected to be established in the first quarter of 2009. The production scale of the manufacturing centre shall correspond to the work packages for the A350XWB allocated to the manufacturing centre and may be enlarged based on the future Business Plan.

Six Chinese manufacturers are already involved in manufacturing parts, such as wing components, emergency-exit doors and maintenance tools for Airbus aircraft. In July 2005, the Airbus (Beijing) Engineering Centre was formally inaugurated in Beijing.

In June 2006, Airbus signed a joint venture contract with a Chinese Consortium comprising Tianjin Free Trade Zone, AVIC I and AVIC II for the establishment of an A320 Family Final Assembly Line in China. So far, the FAL project is proceeding well on schedule. The total value of industrial cooperation between Airbus and the Chinese aviation industry is expected to be near 200 million dollars per year in 2010 and 450 million dollars per year in 2015.

On the same day, China Aviation Supplies Import and Export Group Corporation (CASGC) signed an agreement with Airbus for 150 aircraft including 110 A320s and 40 A330s. China Southern Airlines signed a contract with Airbus for 10 A330-200s.

The A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) Family is Airbus' response to widespread market demand for a series of highly efficient medium-capacity long-range wide-body aircraft. With a range of up to 8,300 nm / 15,400 km, it is available in three basic passenger versions: the A350-800 accommodating 270 passengers, the A350-900 seating 314, and the A350-1000 for 350 passengers.

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