New Airbus orders

Airbus has won new orders from as far afield as the US and China,it emerged today.

Air China has signed up to buy 20 new Airbus planes, worth GBP1.5billion at list price.

The Chinese airline will buy A330-200s for routes to Europe,Australia and North America as well as key domestic destinationsincluding Lhasa.

The planes, the wings of which are designed and part-manufacturedat Airbus' Filton site, are expected to be delivered in stages,starting in 2006 and running until 2008.

The deal is still subject to approval from the Chinese government.In a statement to the stockmarket, Air China said: "Aircraft areexpected to replace certain aircraft in the …