China Southern Airlines Northern Company, a subsidiary of China Southern Air Holding Co., will lease a total of 23 Airbus A320 family aircraft to replace its aging MD-82 and MD-90 aircraft in the coming four years.

The aircraft will be leased from the International Lease Finance Corp. (ILFC), said Zhou Yongqian, Vice President of China Southern Air Holding Company.

The Shenyang-based carrier has already taken delivery of four A319s in 2004 and will receive another seven A319s in 2005. The remaining 12 aircraft, either A319s or A320s, will be delivered in two batches, in 2006 and 2007.

The aircraft will join the company's current Airbus fleet, including eight A321s, four A319s and six A300-600s. The 23 aircraft will be powered by IAE V2500 engines from International Aircraft Engines.

"As one of the earliest Airbus operators in China, we have been satisfied with our cooperation with Airbus," said Zhou. "The introduction of new Airbus aircraft on a large scale will rationalize our fleet, reduce training and maintenance cost and increase passenger comfort."

The A320 family, which includes aircraft types from A318s to A321s, is the market leading single-aisle aircraft family with around 3,200 aircraft sold to more than 120 customers around the world. There are currently 125 A320 family aircraft operating in China.

"At Airbus, we attach great importance to the strategic partnership with China Southern Airlines Northern Company, which is acquiring additional A320 family aircraft in the course of its fleet restructuring program," said Airbus President and CEO Noel Forgeard.

(China Daily September 10, 2004)