China Southern Airlines will buy 20 Airbus A350-900s worth more than $US6 billion at list prices as it continues to expand its international footprint.
The decision by the Guangzhou-based airline lifts the number of firm orders for the A350, the competitor to Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, to 841 from 45 customers world-wide.
Like the 787, the A350 offers greater efficiency with a 25 per cent reduction in fuel burn compared to existing aircraft. The spacious feel of its interior, mood lighting, and a higher cabin pressure all benefit passengers. The A350-900 entered service with Qatar in January, 2015 and 77 had been delivered as of March 31.
China Southern, which recently forged an alliance with American Airlines, is already a big operator of Airbus aircraft with more than 300 in service from the A320 and A330 families as well as five A380 superjumbos. It will take the new planes from 2019 with deliveries expected to be complete by the end of 2022.
“With its very long range capability, economic fuel consumption and spacious cabin, the A350 XWB is the ideal choice for our international long haul routes,’’ China Southern president Tan Wangeng, said in a statement. “The introduction of the A350 XWB will help to strengthen our position as one of the world’s leading international carriers.”
China is keen to increase its profile in the aviation industry and the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC is expected to start the test flights of its new single-aisle C919 jetliner in May.
Although the primary market for the C919 will be the fast-growing Chinese domestic services, the move signals China’s intention to take on aircraft manufacturing behemoths Airbus and Boeing.
The international expansion of Chinese carriers in recent years has contributed to downward pressure on fares in the markets in which they operate.
