Airbus set to clinch first China sales for A380

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2005

LONDON (AFP) — European aircraft maker Airbus is close to clinching two key orders valued at three billion dollars (2.28 billion euros) from China for its new A380 plane.

The Sunday Times quoted industry sources as saying that Airbus was in talks with the Chinese government and Cathay Pacific, the Hong Kong listed carrier.

Although Airbus has already logged dozens of orders for the A380 -- the biggest passenger airliner in the world which will roll out of its assembly hangar on Tuesday -- its success is seen as depending on whether it can interest China, one of the world's biggest operators.

The Sunday Times report said that the Chinese government order, which is likely to be split between two airlines, Air China and China Southern, would be for five...