INTERNATIONAL AERO Engines (IAE) has won a third major Asian carrier competition, with the China Southern Airlines' selection of the V2500 powerplant for its new fleet of Airbus A320s.
China Southern is understood to have opted for the V2525-A5 over the competing General Electric/Snecma CFM56-5B. An official announcement from the airline is expected shortly.
The Guangzhou-based carrier has ordered ten A320s, but has a long-term requirement for additional 150- to 200-seat aircraft. The first two A320s will be delivered in June 1997, with the remaining twinjets following at the rate of two a month through to October.
China Southern's order forms part of larger China Aviation Supplies (CASC) purchase of 30 A320s. It is understood that a second batch of ten CASC A320s will go to China Northwest Airlines, subject to approval from China's civil-aviation administration.
While no engine selection has been made for the remaining 20 aircraft, China Southern's decision will prove a setback for CFM International. The carrier is China's largest operator of CFM56-3-powered Boeing 737-300/500s.o
See Air Transport, P12.
Source: Flight International
