NICHOLAS IONIDES / SINGAPORE
Manufacturers are given much-needed boost as China plans A320 package deal after confirming order with Boeing
China is turning its attention to finalising a deal for Airbus A320 family aircraft after confirming orders for 30 Boeing 737-700/800s.
The long-awaited 737 deal was confirmed on 2 October in Washington DC, covering 25 737-800s and five 737-700s. China Southern Airlines will be allocated 20 -800s, China Eastern Airlines four -700s, Hainan Airlines three -800s and Shanghai Airlines one -700 and two -800s.
The deal officially lifts China's orders for Boeing aircraft to 40 for this year, giving the manufacturer a much-needed boost as the industry continues to suffer following the 11 September terrorist attacks.
Deals previously firmed up but only formally acknowledged on 2 October covered two 747-400 freighters for China Southern, two 757-200s for Xiamen Airlines and six 737-700s for Air China. Four 737-800s are also thought to have been ordered by Air China in a deal that will see Boeing acquiring two of the carrier's 747-400s, while Hainan Airlines is due to start taking delivery of up to ten 767-300ERs next year.
With the 737 package confirmed, Chinese officials are working to finalise a similar-sized order for A320 family aircraft. Talks have been ongoing with Airbus for months and it is expected a deal will be firmed up by the end of the year.
It is unclear which Chinese airlines would be allocated A320 family aircraft, although China Southwest Airlines may take a handful of A319s for Tibet services. China Eastern, China Northwest Airlines, China Southern, Sichuan Airlines and CNAC-Zhejiang Airlines already operate A320 family aircraft. Air China has eight A318s on firm order, while China Northern Airlines has 10 A321s on order.
Chinese carriers have been seeking government approval to boost their narrowbody fleets for some time but the regulatory Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has repeatedly rejected airlines' requests, saying domestic overcapacity has hurt local industry.
In September orders were placed for five Tupolev Tu-204 freighters and options taken on 10 more. They will be operated by China Northwest and China Southwest.
Source: Flight International
