Airbus has succeeded in securing more commitments in China for A320 family aircraft, following its April sale of 20 twinjets to China Eastern Airlines.
Industry sources in China say China Northwest Airlines has won Civil Aviation Administration of China approval to acquire 10 A320s to replace BAe 146s. China Southwest Airlines has also signed a letter of intent to acquire as many as 12 A319s.
The sources say the deals remain subject to additional government approvals before they can be confirmed. The China Eastern agreement confirmed in April has been fully approved, however.
Airbus announced at February's Asian Aerospace air show in Singapore that it had secured several memoranda of understanding or expressions of interest from Chinese carriers covering sales of around 70 aircraft, that were still awaiting government go-ahead.
The manufacturer had been in talks with Chinese airlines for some time on a major combined order which was expected to be placed late last year.
However, the government has indicated that orders will be made individually for carriers throughout this year.
Source: Flight International
