Details Missing in Orders for 239 Aircraft Received at Airshow China 2018

Organizers of Airshow China 2018 announced orders for 239 aircraft  and deals worth more than $21.2 billion concluded at the event in Zhuhai last week but did not give out a break-up of aircraft orders or details of the deals.

The show organizers reported on their WeChat social media account which was picked up by various Chinese media. However a break-up of aircraft sold or any specific deals were not revealed.

It is also not clear if all the aircraft belonged to Chinese companies or that of foreign exhibiting companies such as Russian ones which were presented in large numbers at the show. Some 770 companies from 43 countries and regions participated in the show of which 350 were foreign.

Chinese firms had put up a major show of their drones revealing some new ones and also that of fighter, transport and civil aircraft and helicopters. Chinese firms do not generally reveal details of specific deals.

Russian Helicopters inked a contract for supply of 20 Ansat helicopters to the China Association of Emergency Medicine at the Airshow China exhibition. The Ansat is a lightweight twin-engine multipurpose helicopter. It can carry up to nine people depending on the modification.

Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering (GAMECO), signed MRO contracts with two Chinese cargo airlines. The first contract was signed with carrier Uni-Top Airlines for its A300s fleet covering maintenances, engineering service, material support and component repairs.

The second contract was signed with Guangzhou based China Air Cargo for its 757-200F fleet.

The Airshow also witnessed signing of $3 billion in MRO orders for GE Aviation, combined with the CFM International engine joint venture it shares with Safran Aircraft Engines. These contracts included continuation of next generation engine influx for narrow bodies and also wide body engine options. 

CDB Leasing opted for LEAP-1A Engines, while Xiamen Airlines and China Southern agreed on GEnx-1B Engines for their 787 fleet. Xiamen also opted for a $630 million TrueChoice maintenance contract with GE for the GEnx-1B engines for new and used material and advance repairs.