AIRBUS has picked up a raft of major orders over the last few weeks with perhaps the major placement one for 20 A330-300 aircraft to the fast expanding China Eastern Airways, a recent arrival at Heathrow with services to Beijing. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery from the first quarter of 2006. No engine deal was announced at the signing ceremony, attended by Chinese vice premier Zeng Peiyan and French prime minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin, an indication that Rolls-Royce could be the winners in this area. Already an Airbus A320 operator New York-based budget carrier JetBlue Airways has ordered a further 30 aircraft bringing its total up to 173. Airbus has now confirmed (as reported last week) that Virgin America will start operations next year with a fleet of Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft.
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