Airbus plans manufacturing plant in China - Xinhua
Sat Aug 13, 2005
BEIJING (Reuters) - Airbus is considering building a manufacturing plant in China to commemorate the 20th anniversary of its entry into the Chinese market, Xinhua news agency said.
Airbus had received orders for 59 aircraft from five Chinese airline companies this year, accounting for 20 percent of its total orders, the news agency said in a report late Friday.
China Southern Airlines has already ordered five double-decker A380 aircraft.
"Airbus said its industrial cooperation with China and its technology transfer has entered a new phase this year," Xinhua said. "Over half of the world's 3,700 Airbus aircraft in operation have parts made in China."
Airbus officials were not immediately available for comment.
"It is predicted by 2007, China will grasp the most advanced technology of producing the wings of single-aisle aircraft," Xinhua said.
"The newly established Airbus technological centre in Beijing would take a 5 percent work share of the Airbus A350 aircraft, including aircraft design."
Airbus said last month that Air China had signed a contract for the purchase of 20 Airbus A330-220s, scheduled for delivery from May 2006.
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