CAS Signs GTA for 45 Airbus A330s

China Aviation Supplies Holding Company (CAS) has signed a General Terms Agreement with Airbus for 45 A330 Family aircraft and a Memorandum of Understanding for options on 30 A330s.

“The package order is a new vote of confidence in our A330 Family aircraft, which is already the most popular wide-body aircraft in China,” said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus President and CEO. “China is today the most important market for aviation in the world, we can be confident that air transport in China will continue to undergo rapid growth. We are honoured to contribute to this development.”

According to Airbus’ market forecast, China will become the leading country for passenger air traffic, for both domestic and international markets, as passenger traffic in the country grows well above the world average. Domestic air traffic in China will become the world’s number one within 10 years. In the 20 year period between 2014 to 2033 Airbus forecasts a demand in China for more than 5,300 new commercial passenger aircraft sized over 100 seats plus freighters.

At present, the in-service Airbus fleet with Chinese operators comprises over 1,150 aircraft (over 980 A320 Family aircraft, over 150 A330 Family aircraft and five A380s).

The A330 is one of the most popular widebody aircraft ever and has to date won over 1,500 orders, with over 1,100 flying with some 110 operators worldwide.

The A330 Family, which seats between 250 and 440 passengers, is part of a widebody product line which also includes the larger A350 XWB and double deck A380.