Airbus eyes more alliances with Chinese suppliers

Aircraft maker to step up industrial cooperation with private firms in the country

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus SE plans to cooperate with more Chinese suppliers, including private companies, as it expands industrial cooperation with the world's fastest-growing aviation market, a senior company executive said.

Besides subsidiaries of State-owned Aviation Industry Corp of China, a number of private companies have become, or are on course to become, new suppliers of Airbus, and they will directly provide parts to Airbus planes globally, said Francois Mery, chief operating officer of Airbus Commercial Aircraft China.