CASGC signs GTA with Airbus for 150 A320 aircraft

Airbus has signed a General Terms Agreement (GTA) for the purchase of 150 A320 family aircraft with China Aviation Supplies Import and Export Group (CASGC) during the visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to France.

CASGC President Li Hai and Airbus President and CEO Gustav Humbert signed the GTA in Paris in the presence of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin.

With a total value close to US$ 10 billion, the order for 150 A320 family aircraft comprises A319s, A320s and A321s, marking the largest single order that Airbus has ever received since it entered the Chinese market two decades ago. The 150 aircraft will be delivered to six Chinese airlines, including Air China, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines, and Hainan Airlines.

“Since it was first introduced into the Chinese market in 1995, the A320 family aircraft has been put in-service by 10 Chinese operators with a total of 216 aircraft, accounting for 2/3 of all in-service Airbus aircraft, or nearly 1/4 of the total aircraft in operation in China. The demand for this modern and cost-saving aircraft family from Chinese airlines has been rapidly increasing in recent years,” said CASGC President Li Hai. “We are very pleased to sign the record-breaking GTA with Airbus today and to be a part of this historic order for China. We look forward to an even closer relationship with Airbus and further improving our service to Airbus’ Chinese customers and operators.”

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