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Airbus's customized spares services 

By Lu Haoting (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-07-07 17:29

Just pilot training?

Driven by the country's double-digit economic growth, China will need 100 to 150 aircraft per annum in the next 20 years, making it the world's fastest-growing commercial aircraft market, according to Airbus' estimation. Boeing has similar forecasts that China will need about 3,400 new airplanes over the next 20 years to satisfy domestic and international travel needs.

Airbus sold its first plane to China in 1985, while Boeing had a 13-year head start. Airbus had only a 7-percent market share in China in 1995. But now there are 412 Airbus aircraft in service in the country, accounting for 38 percent of the Chinese fleet in service. There are still over 450 Airbus planes on order.

"Most of the Airbus aircrafts in China were delivered in the last few years, which means many Chinese airlines are still in the growth process of our aircraft," Steffen says.

"In the early days we used to focus on pilot training, mechanics and crew training. But the fast growing Chinese market requires a different menu of services and proactive support measures, in addition to the classical support functions."

Airbus China launched Enhanced Flight Operations Support service with Spring Airlines in April. Unlike other specific technical training, this program focuses on the operation of an airline's Airbus aircraft fleet safely and more efficiently.

The program starts with an assessment of the airline's flight operation. The airline management and Airbus experts together define the actions, which need to be taken. In the following two to three years, Airbus experts will stay at the airline to help it implement the new way of working.

Steffen says another four Chinese airlines, all start-up carriers, are going to sign up for the service.

"Now due to cost pressure, I believe we will have more success in creating a good response in this service," Steffen says.

Airbus plans to implement the program to other fast growing markets, such as India, Steffen says.

The program is part of the Marco Polo Sino-European Aviation Training Solutions initiated by Airbus and a number of European aviation companies. The training content ranges from safety and quality management, aircraft performance engineering, aviation management, flight operation support, and English for aviators to air traffic management and airport operations.

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