quote:
Airbus to nearly triple number of Chinese engineers in hiring push
March 21, 2006 SHANGHAI, China - European airplane maker Airbus hopes to nearly triple the number of Chinese engineers it employs by year-end, aiming to add 100 to the 59 engineers on its payroll now, a company spokesman said.
As many as 200 more could be hired in 2007, said Airbus China spokesman Gu Wei, adding that the plan is tentative.
Gu said the new employees would mainly help with design work on the new A350 - a mid-sized jet aimed at competing with Boeing's 787.
The hiring push follows a recent announcement by Airbus' European parent that it is considering manufacturing some planes in China.
Tom Enders, chief executive officer of European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co., said at a news conference earlier this month the company was considering building Airbus jets in China. EADS owns 80 percent of Toulouse, France-based Airbus.
Enders said the company is considering building single-aisle commercial aircraft in China, identified in reports as the A320 series of jets, the direct competitor to Boeing's traditional market leader, the 737. The Airbus planes typically have 107 to 185 seats and many likely would be used for destinations within China.
Enders said the company hopes to make a final decision on a China production base between July and September.
Associated Press