Airbus pressure Chinese airlines to take delivery of aircraft.
Airbus has pushed Chinese airlines to take delivery of jets now that the domestic market has rebounded to pre-COVID levels. But many airlines are using the pandemic as an excuse to delay deliveries, said one source with direct knowledge of the matter.
See also: Airbus delivers 500th A320 family aircraft assembled in China.
Airbus deliveries surged in September to a peak since the crisis began but deliveries to China have lagged despite the fact that airlines there are leading a recovery in jet usage, Reuters reported.
See also: Kuwait Airways takes delivery of its first two A330-800.
Most Airbus planes being delivered to Chinese airlines come from an A320 assembly line in Tianjin, but for other aircraft airlines need to send staff to Europe. Air China in August sent staff to France to take an A350 while China Southern, also in August, sent a team to Germany to take an A321neo.
Spring Airlines in September took an A321neo assembled in Germany. Due to COVID-related restrictions on cross-border travel, Airbus arranged to have the plane flown to Tianjin, spokesman Zhang Wuan said, adding this suited both sides.
By Stella Qiu, Tim Hepher
Editing by Elaine Hardcastle
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