Airbus is participating in the 2017 Sichuan International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition (Sichuan Airshow), in Deyang, Sichuan from 29th September to 3rd October and will showcase its leading wide-body aircraft family as well as Airbus Helicopters. Airbus will display 1/20 scale models of the A380 and an A350 XWB, and a 1/10 scale model of the H130 at the company stand (Hall 3 - 3D1) in the Hangar of Xingyao, Guanghan Flight College of Civil Aviation Flight University of China (CAFUC).

Airbus will hold a press conference on 29th September (14:00-15:30) at meeting room 1, second floor, Examination and Training Centre of CAFUC to brief the media on Airbus' latest business developments in China.

"Airbus is providing Chinese airlines with the world's top performing aircraft and the industry's best levels of customer support and services. It shows our commitment to the long term development of China's aviation sector." said Eric Chen, President of Airbus Commercial Aircraft China. "To date, the number of Airbus aircraft operated by Chinese mainland carriers has reached almost 1,500, underlining the importance of the market to the company", he added.

Along with the expansion of the industrial presence, the in-service fleet of Airbus aircraft in China has been continuously growing. Of the 1,500 Airbus aircraft in operation in the Chinese mainland, more than 200 are A330 Family aircraft, making the A330 the most popular wide-body aircraft in operation in China. In the coming few months, several Chinese mainland carriers will take delivery of their first A350 XWB. China Southern Airlines, one of Chinese biggest carriers, currently operates five A380s.

The A350 XWB features the latest aerodynamic design, carbon fibre fuselage and wings, plus new fuel-efficient Rolls-Royce engines. Together, these latest technologies translate into unrivalled levels of operational efficiency, with a 25 per cent reduction in fuel burn and emissions, and significantly lower maintenance costs. As the founding member of "Airspace by Airbus" cabin brand, the A350 XWB cabin provides passengers and crews the best in comfort, well-being and technology.

The A380 is the world's largest, most spacious airliner that offers passengers the smoothest, quietest and most comfortable ride. With two full widebody decks, offering widest seats, wide aisles and more floor space, the A380 has the unique capability to generate revenue, stimulate traffic and attract the flying public, who can now specifically select the A380 when booking a flight via the iflyA380.com web site. Some 180 million passengers have already enjoyed the experience of flying on board an A380 today. Every two minutes, an A380 takes off or lands somewhere in the world.

In helicopters sector, Airbus is the world's leading helicopter manufacture and is the leader as well in China's civil helicopter market with a 40% market share. Today, more than 260 Airbus helicopters are flying across the country. For the first time in 2016, China became the company's largest civil market in terms of annual booking.

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of Airbus Helicopters' presence in China. The long-lasting relationship of Airbus Helicopters in the country first began in 1967 with the sale of the Alouette III, followed by several cooperation agreements for the AS365 Dauphin, H120 Colibri, H175/AC352 helicopters joint production, and an H135 final assembly line in Qingdao.

Airbus Helicopters' Ecureuil family (H125 and H130) is well known and one of the most popular helicopters in the world. By end of 2016, 100 Ecureuil helicopters are operating in China's fast-growing civil and para-public markets, which is the biggest single type of helicopter fleet in the country. Accumulatively, the Ecureuil family has clocked over 85,000 flight hours in China. The H125 outclasses all other single-engine helicopters for its performance, versatility, safety and low maintenance, while excelling in high altitudes, and in hot and extreme environment. It is a proven rotorcraft with successful deployments in power line, fire-fighting, geographic survey, agriculture, video-filming and passenger transportation in China, while the H130 is a rising star in HEMS (Helicopters Emergency Medical Services), tourism as well as aerial work missions.

Contributed by Airbus