Airbus will highlight the A380, the flagship of the 21st Century and the A330 freighter, the latest member of the A330 Family, at the 2011 Aviation Expo China, which is scheduled to be held between September 21st and 24th at the China National Convention Centre of Beijing.

A 1/20-scale cutaway model of A380, world's largest passenger aircraft, will become a focus of attention on the stand of EADS, the parent company of Airbus, which is located at Hall 1 and 2 of the convention centre. China Southern Airlines is to take delivery of its first A380 shortly to become the first A380 operator in China and the seventh in the world.

By the end of August, a total of 54 A380s have been delivered to six airlines, which include Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qantas, Air France, Lufthansa and Korean Air. The A380 fleet has already accumulated over 330,000 flight hours in more than 38,000 revenue flights. Around 14 million passengers have experienced the comfort of the quietest cabin in the sky. The 54 A380s are now flying to 25 destinations on 39 routes. Facts show that the A380 is achieving greater revenue and profits by attracting passengers with its more spacious, more comfortable, and quieter cabin, resulting in higher average load factors; it has been seen to have the ability to increase its operator's market share; it is clearly delivering the lowest fuel burn and operating cost.

Also on display will be a 1/20-scale model of the new A330-200F freighter. So far, 57 A330-200F have been sold to nine customers and seven are already in service at Etihad Crystal Cargo, Hong Kong Airlines and Turkish Airlines. Next year will see the first cargo carrier on the Chinese mainland to operate the A330-200F.

The A330-200F is the world's most modern mid-size freighter and can carry 70 tonnes of payload, with a range capability of up to 4,000nm. These range and payload capabilities, offer flexibility for both regional and intercontinental operations, versatility to match costs and frequencies with market expectations, thereby allowing operators to grow existing business and expand into new routes.

The A330-200F is the all-freight version of the best-selling A330 Family. To date, Airbus has won more than 1,100 orders for the various versions of the A330, with some 800 aircraft currently flying with over 80 operators worldwide.

Airbus (Beijing) Engineering Centre (ABEC) has contributed to the Airbus A330-200F programme by successfully fulfilling several work packages from September 2006 to the beginning of 2008 relating to the design of the Airbus' all new freighter. The work packages are mainly in two areas: to develop the modelling and digital mock up of several different fuselage sections, and the fatigue and tolerance analysis as well as certification for some of the movable parts.

Contributed by Airbus S.A.S.