Aircraft

China’s major carriers have begun to firm up orders with Airbus from a bulk deal for 150 narrowbodies signed by the Chinese government late last year, writes Nicholas Ionides.

Beijing-based Air China recently firmed up its part of the bulk order for 24 more A320-family aircraft. The twinjets will be delivered between 2007 and 2010.

Meanwhile, Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines has agreed to order 30 more A319s and A320s for delivery between May 2008 and November 2010. It confirmed the deal with Airbus last week, although it remains subject to shareholder approval.

The 150-aircraft commitment was instrumental in helping Airbus overtake rival Boeing in booking more firm aircraft orders for 2005. However, listing the Chinese government’s commitment as a firm deal was considered controversial, as under Chinese procedures final agreements still need to be confirmed by individual airlines and this typically comes months later.