The Civil Aeronautics Administration of the Republic of China first came into contact with the European Airbus company four years ago, and a draft agreement was then signed for the purchase of A300 Airbuses. However, the initial agreement failed to materialize because of keen competition from Boeing.
II was natural for the Republic of China to refocus on Boeing. CAL is one of Boeing's old customers. CAL personnel can fly and maintain new model Boeing aircraft with little additional training. Besides, relations between the Republic of China and the United States were good, and this influenced the Republic of China to continue its purchases of Boeing aircraft. The Republic of China felt an additional obligation to purchase from the U.S., considering its huge surplus in trade with America. The U.S. could also provide credit on better terms.
This situation changed with the signing by the U.S. and Red China of the so called Shanghai communiqué. Since, the Chinese on Taiwan have begun to hold U.S. foreign policy in suspicion, and a clamor for greater self-reliance and closer ties with Europe has arisen. The government began to feel the need to diversify its sources of supplies. When CAL again sought new aircraft to beef up its fleet, the civil aeronautics authorities renewed contact with the European Airbus company. Two years ago, a contract was signed for the purchase of four A300 Airbuses. The last is scheduled to be delivered in January next year.
When the first A300 airliner was handed over to the Republic of China in France, M. Bernard Lathier, president of the Airbus company, commented humorously that the delivery was much like a wedding ceremony, which made the two parties into wedlock relatives. He ex pressed his hope: "The two relatives should not change the focus of their hearts again."
The Civil Aeronautics Administration was represented at the ceremony by Vice Communications Minister Chen Shu-hsi. He said that the delivery of the first Airbus marked the kickoff of increasing ROC trade with France. Ten years ago, ROC exports to France were as little as US$7 million. In 1981, they jumped to US$278,400,000, a fortyfold increase. Ten years ago, ROC imports from France were US$8,700,000. By 1981, the total shot to US$187,700,000, up some 22 times. The Vice Minister expressed the hope that the two countries would also step up their communications and technological cooperation.
After the delivery ceremony, the party inspected the Airbus on the airfield apron. The new plane was the first ROC flag carrier to originate at a French airport since France switched its political recognition from Taipei to Peking during the tenure of President de Gaulle. In contrast to other Airbuses on the apron, the interior decoration of the CAL plane expressed Chinese cultural tradition in both color and design.
The striking advantages of the Airbus include larger passenger capacity and less fuel consumption. A Boeing 707 can carry l49 passengers, for example, whereas an A300 Airbus can hold 249. For domestic flights in France, a similar plane is equipped with 350 seats; the two configurations consume equal quantities of fuel.
According to available statistics, the fuel consumption of an A300 Airbus is 15 percent less than the DC-9-3, 32 percent less than the DC-8-62, and 35 percent less than the Boeing 727. The manufacturer claims that it is the most fuel-saving plane in the world. Calculated on the basis of current jet fuel prices, the plane can save US$1,500,000 a year, an enviable amount for an airline company.
A-300 Airbus - Sleek saver of fuel, and quiet, to boot. (File photo)
As a result of the energy crunch and economic recession, most major airlines have registered business deficits in the last few years. China Airlines lost about US$16 million in 1980 and US$12 million in 1981. The deficit is expected to be reduced as a result of the employment of Airbuses.
Despite the losses, CAL is proud of its growth record, possibly the fastest in Asia. The company was established on December 10, 1959, by a group of retired airmen. At first, it had only 26 pilots, mechanics and other personnel, and two PBY amphibious aircraft. Its major business missions were marine rescue, fish detection, insecticide spraying and aerial photography.
Passenger planes were acquired in 1961 for flights between Taipei and Hualien; the passenger service was later extended to Taitung, Taichung, Tainan, Makung and Kaohsiung. After consolidating domestic service, CAL entered the jet era with the inauguration of the Republic of China's first international flight, to Saigon, in December 1966.
In April 1967, the ROC flag carrier extended its flight service to Tokyo, Osaka, Hong Kong, Seoul, Manila and Singapore. By 1971, CAL had reached all major cities in Southeast and Northeast Asia.
CAL became a member of the International Association of Travel Agencies (IATA) in 1969, and further extended its international service. Now, its passenger flights reach Tokyo, Fukuoka, the Ryukyus, Seoul, Hong Kong, Manila, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Bangkok, Jeddah, Hawaii, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Its cargo service was extended to Luxembourg.
Before its acquisition of the Airbuses, CAL possessed 21 planes, all made by Boeing. They included five 747Bs, four 747SPs, one 747F, three 737s, four 727s and four 707s. It has plans to buy more Boeing 747s and its new 767 model.
Since the Airbus is a joint project of France, Germany, Britain, Holland and Spain, purchase of the planes symbolizes a closer relationship with all these countries. The four planes cost more than US$200 million.
The skills of CAL pilots and engineers who took delivery of the plane won much praise in Toulouse, where the aircraft was received. "Their technical level is among the highest in the world," said a representative of the Airbus company.
Sun Hsing-chu, captain of the first Airbus, praises the performance of the new plane. He says, "Total automatic flight instruments are used for takeoff and landing. The engineering design is excellent." Captain Sun also says that the smooth flying and landing characteristics surpass those of other planes.
Probably the most important, and unnoticed, advantage of the Airbus lies in its quietness. It produces little noise - or fumes - during takeoff.
The fuselage of the ultra-modern plane is 44.84 meters long and 16.53 meters tall, the wing spread is 53.62 meters. Its passenger capacity equals the total of the combined capacity of 707 and 727 planes. Its two engines develop a thrust of 53,000 pounds. The Airbus can fly at 40,000 feet altitude at a speed of Mach 0.8. Its maximum lift is 362,700 pounds. The wide-bodied plane can carry 30 tons of cargo.