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(Yicai Global) March 27 -- Airbus has inked a new order with a Chinese plane lessor for 300 aircraft in a deal worth USD35 billion. President Macron witnessed the deal, signed in Paris, along with Chinese counterpart President Xi, who is visiting the country.
The European aerospace giant has agreed a deal with state-backed plane China Aviation Supplies Holding for the supply of 290 A320 and 10 A350 XWB aircraft, the Beijing-based firm said in a statement.
The planes will be distributed to operators after CAS has penned orders with them, according to the general terms agreement.
There are 1,730 Airbus aircraft in service in China as of the end of last month, of which 1,455 are A320 family models and 17 are A350s.
The A320 is one of the world's best-selling single-aisle aircraft and rivals the Boeing 737 family. China's self-developed C919 model is yet to start deliveries.
The order follows the temporary suspension of flights using the Boeing 737 MAX after two air crashes occurred within half a year and some carriers have considered canceling orders.
Operators may be subject to damages if they scrap orders at this time as the official investigations into the disasters are yet to finish. They will also need to wait a longer time for deliveries if they cancel.
Editor: William Clegg