Extent of new orders unclear in Chinese 300-Airbus pact

Airbus has yet to disclose the extent to which its general terms agreement with China’s state aviation supply organisation will translate into new orders. The agreement covers the purchase of 300 aircraft, comprising 290 A320-family jets and 10 A350s. Airbus points out that the pact creates an “approval framework” for aircraft ordered by Chinese airlines, “be [these] existing orders or future orders”. Airbus added: “The general terms agreement confirms the Chinese govt’s willingness to approve a certain number of aircraft purchases by Chinese airlines." Airbus had 591 single-aisle aircraft assigned to undisclosed customers at the end of February, all but 25 of which were for re-engined A320neo-family variants. Its undisclosed customer backlog also features 24 A350s. <br/>