The Sichuan Airlines Co Ltd signed an agreement with Airbus on Friday in Jiuzhaigou of Southwest China's Sichuan Province to purchase four A319 aircraft.

The jets, powered by IAE V2500 engines, are part of a general agreement signed in Beijing on April 25 between China Aviation Supplies Import and Export Group Corporation and Airbus for an order of 30 Airbus aircraft.

The planes are scheduled for delivery during 2004 to 2005, said Lan Xinguo, president of Sichuan Airlines.

Lan said his company plans to deploy the airliners mainly at the Jiuhuang Airport, which opened in September. It is close to the well-known scenic spots of Jiuzhaigou Valley and Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area, in Sichuan Province.

"Introduction of the A319 aircraft fits our strategic development in the western region of China,'' he said. "The western areas are attracting more and more passengers travelling both for business and pleasure.''

Noel Forgeard, Airbus' president and CEO, said: "Airbus attaches great importance to its traditional relations with Sichuan Airlines. We are convinced that the A319 will further boost the fast development of the airline.''

The relationship between Airbus and Sichuan Airlines dates back to 1995, when the Chengdu-based carrier became the first A320 operator and first fly-by-wire operator on the Chinese mainland.

Currently, it has a fleet of eight A320s and three A321s.

Airbus's business in China has steadily expanded since it entered the country in 1985.

The Airbus fleet is in service on the Chinese mainland and in the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, and has grown to around 200 today from 29 in 1995.

The Airbus Customer Services Training and Support Centre, which represents a US$80 million investment by Airbus, operates in Beijing.

Four Chinese manufacturers are already involved in manufacturing of Airbus parts, such as wing components, passenger doors and maintenance tools.

A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, Britain and Spain. It has subsidiaries in the United States, China and Japan.

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