Airbus expects 70 new deliveries to China this year

Speaking at an aeroleasing summit in Beijing, Richard Walker, marketing director for Airbus China, Airbus expects to deliver around 70 new aircraft to mainland Chinese airlines this year. He said, perhaps stating the obvious, that China is one of the firm’s key markets. The European manufacturer delivered 76 new aircraft to China last year, representing 20% of Airbus’ total new deliveries worldwide.

Airbus forecasts China will need over 2,600 passenger aircraft from 2006 to 2025. Single-aisle carriers make up the majority, with an expected 1,900 deliveries, while Airbus forecasts that 620 twin-aisle aircraft will be delivered.

Richard Walker said the company expects to deliver 113 large aircraft over the period, including the A380, shown here taking off from Shanghai, which will be used for long-haul services, as well as on busy domestic routes.

He added that Airbus expects to raise its market share in China to 50% by 2013, from 36% now. Probably Boeing would disagree.

Production will start next year at Airbus’ final assembly plant in Tianjin and Richard Walker said the company expects the facility to produce four aircraft per month by 2011. Airbus also has six sub-assembly plants around China.