Airbus shifts marketing focus to China

According to Airbus China on April 7, it plans to sell five to six business aircraft in China each year over the next five years. Chinese orders now account for about one-fourth of Airbus's worldwide orders for business aircraft.
Chinese buyers are expected to become the main market of luxury business aircraft in the foreseeable future.
There are currently six Airbus business aircraft in operation in China, of which three were registered on the Chinese mainland. Soon, another two business aircraft will be put into operation in the country.
"China's strong economic growth is the basis for its booming business aircraft market," said Eric Chen, vice president of Airbus China.
Chen said that Airbus sold its first business aircraft in China in 2005 and has sold more than 20 aircraft in China ever since, which amounts to about four aircraft a year on average. Many buyers are from Shanghai, he said.
Chen said that Airbus is shifting its business aircraft marketing focus to Asia, especially China. The company plans to sell about 30 business aircraft in China over the next five years. Since it is able to manufacture only 12 to 24 business aircraft a year, one-fourth of its business aircraft will be sold to Chinese buyers each year.
Airbus specifically introduced a Phoenix cabin concept to appeal to Chinese buyers. The Phoenix cabin features seats for six people around a large round table reflecting the focus on family life in many Asian cultures. The table can be easily folded into a rectangular shape when needed, so passengers will feel more comfortable when playing mahjong. The cabin even offers an area for Karaoke, another popular recreational activity in much of Asia.
Airbus said the A318 Elite business aircraft is priced at 65 million U.S. dollars, the ACJ business aircraft is priced at 80 million U.S. dollars, and the A320 VIP business aircraft is priced at 85 million U.S. dollars.
By People's Daily Online
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