According to the latest Global Market Forecast of the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation which covers the period of 2006-2025, Airbus has cut its 20-year large aircraft sales target to Chinese airlines from approximately 200 to 113.

The report says there are only 35 sales expected between now and 2015. This means that the 400+ seat category has shrunk from over 11% of the total projected China order book to just 4.3%.

In March 2005, Airbus VP Market Forecast and Research, Laurent Rouaud, stated that China could need approximately 200 large aircraft by the year 2023.

Peter Harbison, executive chairman of the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation says that the new forecast reflects the manufacturer's prediction of increasing point-to-point operations in the country- and Airbus is putting its money where it is able to, recently committing to establish an A320 production line in China.