Airbus lands big orders from Chinese start-ups

HONG KONG: Airbus SAS, the world’s second-biggest planemaker, yesterday won orders for $4.2 billion of singleaisle planes from two Chinese start-ups amid rising travel and the government’s deregulation of the nation’s civil aviation sector.

Qingdao Airlines, a newly established private carrier, agreed to buy 23 A320s in a deal valued at $2.26 billion, based on Airbus list prices. Zhejiang Loong Airlines, recently approved by the regu- lator, signed an initial agreement for 20 A320s, valued at $1.91 billion.

Airlines usually get discounts from list prices.

The deals are a boost for Toulouse, France-based Airbus as the planemaker expects to deliver more than 100 aircraft this year to customers in China, the world’s second-largest economy.

Airbus, which lost the global sales lead to Boeing Co last year, has predicted airlines globally will buy planes valued at $4.4 trillion in the next two decades, driven by demand in India and China and global growth among low-fare carriers.

Qingdao Airlines order includes 18 A320neos, a re-engined version of the single-aisle jet, according to an e-mailed statement from Airbus. Zhejiang Loong’s purchase will have nine neos.

Airbus also won a $2.6 billion order from BOC Aviation Ltd, the leasing unit of Bank of China Ltd.

The Singapore-based lessor is expanding as economic growth in Malaysia, Indonesia and other Southeast Asian nations is boosting travel across the region.

That’s prompted Singapore Airlines Ltd, AirAsia Bhd and PT Lion Mentari Airlines also to place orders.

Delivery of the Qingdao Air’s planes will start in 2016 and it will begin services next year with leased A320 aircraft, according to the statement. Zhejiang Loong, based in Hangzhou city of East China’s Zhejiang province, plans to start business this year.

Airbus also introduced yesterday a lightweight version of twin-aisle plane A330-300 to help Chinese customers cope with airspace congestion and shortage of pilots.

‘‘The shorter-range model can be delivered by the end of 2015 or early 2016,’’ Eric Chen, Airbus head in China, told reporters in Beijing.