Airbus Delivers 81 Aircraft in May as Chinese Regulatory Hurdles Ease

(Central News Agency, Taipei, 5th) Reuters reported, citing sources, that European aircraft manufacturer Airbus delivered 81 aircraft in May, a significant increase from 51 in the same month last year, partly due to the gradual release of planes previously delayed by Chinese regulatory approval issues.

Reuters reported the news from Paris on the 4th. Airbus had previously stated that an "administrative procedure issue" on the Chinese side had halted the delivery of nearly 20 passenger jets intended for Chinese operators, but the issue has since been resolved.

Sources revealed that China had delayed accepting new Airbus planes to pressure European regulators into advancing the certification application for the C919 passenger jet, independently developed by China's COMAC. The C919 has not yet received European certification.

Earlier foreign reports indicated that Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury had predicted that Airbus deliveries would return to normal by the end of June, but he did not provide details. According to professional data, Airbus delivered only 16 aircraft to Chinese airlines from January to May this year, far fewer than the 47 delivered in the same period last year.