China Southern Airlines served as a host to the massive Airbus A380 which is making its first technical proving run through Asia.
China Southern Airlines will be the nation’s launch customer of the superjumbo aircraft and is slated to take delivery and operate five of the aircraft in its fleet - the largest in China.

During the welcoming ceremony to key government and aviation officials from Airbus, China Southern Airlines Chairman Mr. Liu Shao Yong said, “The twelve-year partnership between China Southern and Airbus continued to deepen when China Southern introduced its first A300 aircraft in November 1994. Not only was China Southern the first A330 customer Airbus in Mainland China but we stand proud to be the very first launch customer for A380 aircraft in China.”

Mr. Liu added, “During an accelerated period of growth in the past two years, China Southern has quite literally come of age as it has re-invented itself into a major International carrier with a massive domestic, regional and global network. This conversion could not have happened without strong senior management oversight as we worked diligently to develop our own corporate culture.”

He announced that with the delivery of its latest Airbus A320 next month, China Southern will be operating 100 Airbus aircraft in its 300-aircraft fleet.

“The A380 aircraft is not only Airbus’ “flagship” product for the 21st Century ... but is the result of experience and wisdom accumulated for over thousands of years of mankind’s desire to soar into Heaven. Technology transforms the world and technology fuels development. China Southern is com mitted to facilitating the scientific development of China’s civil aviation industry with a world vision. China Southern is now in a key stage in its transformation to continue this amazing sustained development. We pray that with the ever-continuing cooperation with Airbus that we will - together - meet these important goals,” said Mr. Liu.

The new $3 Billion, Baiyun International Airport is the first airport in China that has been build to accommodate the massive Airbus A380. Today’s China stop of the Airbus A380 Technical Route Proving route clearly shows the importance that Airbus attaches to China’s aviation market.
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