East China Airlines' order of Airbus 330-300 plane arrived in Shanghai Wednesday, the first time this Airbus model has been put into operation in the Chinese mainland market.

"The 300-seat plane will help East China Airlines reinforce its international competitiveness on long-distance air routes," said Luo Chaogeng, general manager of the company.

The Shanghai-based airline company, which operates 450 international and domestic flight routes, has imported 103 Airbus planes since 1985.

The new model is expected to serve on popular air routes in the Asian region, according to Luo.

(China Daily January 26, 2006)