Airbus has awarded China Aviation Industries II (AVIC II) subsidiary Hafei Aviation Industry a supplier contract for the Airbus A320 and is negotiating with sister organisation AVIC I for workshare in the new A350, writes Brendan Sobie in Shanghai.
Industry sources say Airbus is considering sourcing A350 vertical and horizontal stabilisers at an AVIC I factory. Airbus confirms it is talking with AVIC I and II about manufacturing A350 components, but declines to provide details.
Last month Airbus signed its first supplier contract with an AVIC II factory. The deal between Airbus Spain and Hafei covers 52 composite parts for the A320, including tailplane leading-edge ribs and torsion boxes. Hafei and parent AVIC II have traditionally focused on military and general aviation aircraft, but have been trying to expand into commercial aircraft components to diversify their product portfolio.
Last year AVIC II was appointed by Boeing as a supplier for the new 787, resulting in the award of a contract to Hafei earlier this year for 787 fairings.
Hafei sister company Harbin Aircraft Industry expanded into commercial aircraft two years ago with the assembly of Embraer ERJ-145s. Harbin, which shares a factory with Hafei, has since been in talks with Embraer to supply components for ERJs sold worldwide.
While Embraer China says these talks have not yet resulted in a supplier deal, Harbin/Hafei has quickly become a new supplier for both Airbus and Boeing.
Hafei says the new Airbus deal marks the beginning of a new supplier relationship that it hopes will be expanded in the near future.
Source: Flight International
