China Southern Airlines Company signed Friday in Paris an agreement with Airbus for the purchase of five A380s, marking the first commitment placed by a Chinese carrier for the recently unveiled largest aircraft in the world.

"As one of the largest carriers in China, we are pleased to join the list of customers of Aribus' new double-decker. We believe that the A380 will further increase our competitiveness in the global market," said Liu Shaoyong, chairman of China Southern Airlines, one of the top three Chinese airlines with Air China and China Eastern.

For his part, Airbus President and CEO Noel Forgeard said the purchase marked a significant breakthrough of Airbus' business in China, an important and strategic market.

"The A380 will effectively accommodate ever growing air travel demand in the dynamic Chinese market, and will be able to provide first-class services to 2008 Olympics in Beijing, 2010 World Expo in Shanghai and 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou," he said.

With today's agreement, Airbus has now 154 orders and commitments from 15 countries for the A380 programmes, an aircraft that can carry at least 550 passengers.

The agreement is seen as providing a boost to Airbus in its battle with US rival Boeing for dominance in the crucial Chinese market

China is forecast to become the world's second-largest commercial aviation market after the United States in 20 years time with a 2,800-strong fleet of planes.

(Xinhua News Agency January 29, 2005)