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An Airbus A319, powered by V2500 engines from International Aero Engines (IAE), has successfully completed high-attitude demonstration flights at two of world's highest airports in the Tibet Autonomous Region.
The aircraft used for the demonstrations on Thursday and Friday will go back to the Airbus production line in Hamburg, Germany, before returning in a few weeks to become Air China's second A319.
The Chinese flagship carrier recently took delivery of its first A319 in Hangzhou and has a further seven on order.
After the flights, Airbus' test pilot Richard Monnoyer said his team was very satisfied with the performance of the aircraft and engines.
"The flights have validated the performance data and confirmed the excellent maneuvering capabilities of the V2500 powered A319 aircraft at high altitude airfields," he said.
Before the test, only Airbus A340s powered by General Electric and Boeing 757s powered by Rolls-Royce engines were qualified to operate on the air routes to high-altitude airports.
The smaller amount of oxygen at higher altitudes means engines need more power to run safely, industry experts say.
Air China has the monopoly to fly to Tibetan cities - the route is one of its most profitable.
Ma Kuiliang, vice-president of Air China, said the new aircraft are essential for expanding operations in Tibet.
As a region with excellent growth potential in the industrial and tourism sectors, Tibet already gets hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
With the new 128-seat aircraft, Ma said customers will have more choice and convenience in the future when traveling to Tibet.
IAE is a multinational consortium. Its shareholders include Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, the Japanese Aero Engines Corp and MTU Aero Engines.
More than 900 V2500-powered aircraft have so far been delivered to airlines worldwide.
(People's Daily July 28, 2003)
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