Airbus sees Asian airlines as likely clients

World leading European aircraft builder Airbus Industrie said that it sees many potential customers for the low-cost airlines that are sprouting up in Asia-Pacific as a result of the growing international travel market.

Anthony Philips, Airbus regional communications representative for Asia, said a big percentage of the orders they have received in the past few years for their state-of-the-art A319, A320, A330, A340 family of aircraft has been from Asian carriers, including the Philippines’ own Cebu Pacific.

Philips said they foresee more businesses from these Asian carriers as air travel among nationals of countries in the Asia-Pacific continues to grow along with improved regional trade.

"There is a long way to go for Asia Pacific and the Philippines," Philips told local aviation and business reporters in a press briefing at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel last Wednesday.

Philips said that Airbus is poised to maintain its dominance in the world aircraft building industry and its lead over stiff competitor Boeing in the number of airplanes sold. — Rainier Allan Ronda