Massive Aircraft Order by China

Chinese aviation officals announced an agreement yesterday with Airbus to order 110 A320 aircraft plus 40 A330 aircraft. The massive order is valued at approximately USD$15 million. 

China Southern Airlines also signed a separate agreement with Airbus for 10 A320-200s. These announcements coincided with a meeting held this week in Beijing between French President Sarkozy and Chinese President Hu Jintao. The agreement also includes the stipulation that Chinese industry have a 5% stake in A350 airframe production. Six Chinese manufacturers already build parts for Airbus.

The 160 aircraft ordered yesterday is just another indication of the strong continued growth in commercial aviation worldwide.  Such an order as this also indicates China's confidence in the continuation of aviation growth in the long term. This large order could  top rival Boeing's 2007 orders.