Planemaker Signs MOU To Allocate Five Percent Of Airframe To
China
The large Chinese airliner deal
announced Monday by Airbus included a memorandum of understanding
(MOU) with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) to
formalize Airbus' commitment to allocate five per cent of the
A350XWB air frame to the Chinese aviation industry, according to
the European planemaker.
The MOU was signed Monday by Chen Deming, Vice Minister of NDRC,
and Fabrice Bregier, Chief Operating Officer of Airbus, at the
Great Hall of the People in the presence of Chinese President Hu
Jintao and visiting French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
According to the MOU -- termed "Strengthening Industrial
Cooperation through A350 XWB" -- NDRC and Airbus will cooperate on
A350 XWB development and manufacturing work, in order to enhance a
closer strategic cooperation relationship between Airbus and the
Chinese aviation industry.
Airbus also confirmed its intent to manufacture five per cent of
the airframe of the A350 XWB aircraft in China. Airbus will
actively involve Chinese enterprises in the A350 XWB project to
develop the current cooperation and prepare for further possible
cooperation for future programs.
On the same day, Airbus also signed a Heads of Agreement (HOA)
with China Aviation Industry Corporation II (AVIC II) to develop a
new cooperation model to support the A350 XWB
industrialization.
According to the HOA between Airbus and AVIC II, a joint venture
manufacturing center is to be established in Harbin by Airbus and
Harfei Aviation Industry Company Ltd, a subsidiary of AVIC II, to
produce composite material parts and components for Airbus A350
XWB.
The manufacturing center is expected to be established in the
first quarter of 2009. The production scale of the manufacturing
center shall correspond to the work packages for the A350 XWB
allocated to the manufacturing center and may be enlarged based on
the future Business Plan.
"NDRC encourages the efforts to further enhance industrial
cooperation between the Chinese aviation industry and Airbus. The
reinforcement of cooperation between Airbus and the Chinese
aviation industry will be beneficial for the development of the
industry and for Airbus as well," says Zhang Xiaoqiang, Vice
Minister of NDRC.
AVIC II President Zhang Hongbiao added, "AVIC II supports
Airbus' cooperation strategy with China's aviation industry. Both
sides will be dedicated to a long-term and strategic cooperation
relationship and will complement each other with different
advantages. We believe that there is a big potential for
cooperation."
"We are impressed by the fast and sustained growth of the
Chinese aviation industry and are extremely proud to be able to
contribute to its development with our state-of-the-art, efficient
and environmentally friendly aircraft. We demonstrate once again
Airbus' commitment to the long term development of China's aviation
industry. For Airbus, China is not only an important market, but
also an industrial partner. We are making efforts to further
strengthen the already existing cooperation," says Fabrice
Bregier.
As ANN reported, China
Aviation Supplies Import and Export Group Corporation (CASGC)
signed an agreement with Airbus this week for 150 aircraft
including 110 A320s and 40 A330s. China Southern Airlines signed a
contract with Airbus for 10 A330-200s.