Airbus is set to sign China Eastern Airlines as its second A330 customer in China with a deal for 10 of the twinjets to replace the carrier's A300-600Rs.
Industry sources confirm the Shanghai-based airline is awaiting final government approval and a firm deal is expected to be announced this month. If government approval is granted, China Eastern will be Airbus's second A330 customer in mainland China after China Southern Airlines.
Guangzhou-based China Southern ordered four A330-200s last year. Deliveries of the Rolls-Royce Trent 700-powered twinjets will begin in 2005. The airline says the aircraft will be used primarily on medium- and long-haul international routes.
China Eastern's A330s are expected to be larger, shorter-range -300s for use on routes in the Asia-Pacific region and to replace A300-600Rs. The carrier already operates A300-600Rs, A319/320s and A340-300/600s.
China Eastern, China Southern and other major Chinese airlines are seeking government approval to place a large bulk order for the Boeing 7E7, which competes with the A330-200 (Flight International, 1-7 June).
NICHOLAS IONIDES / SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International
