On Friday February 21st, Airbus and Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) announced both aircraft manufacturers will collaborate on sustainable growth in air transport. The scope of their collaboration will however extend beyond the aircraft itself. Under the Memorandum of Understanding, signed by Günter Butschek, Airbus Chief Operating Officer and He Dongfeng, President of COMAC, they will “share best practices and identify improvements required by current ATM technology roadmaps both on-board the aircraft and on the ground to foster safer, more efficient and sustainable air traffic operations.”
This results in for instance optimised take-off, landing and taxiing procedures that reduce emissions, and noise as well as shortened travelling times for passengers. In 2012, COMAC also signed an agreement with Boeing to jointly conduct research on aircraft fuel efficiency and reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions.
COMAC is China’s leading civil aircraft manufacturing. Its C919 will be competing with the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 family of aircraft. The c919 is expected to be delivered in 2017, which is several years after the upgraded and re-engined A320neo and Boeing 737 Max enter into service.
More info to be found on the Airbus website.