FRANCIS Avanzi, president of aircraft engine manufacturer CFM International, paid a flying visit to Hong Kong yesterday after talks in China with six mainland airlines.
He said he came away from China believing the mainland airlines would continue their aircraft buying spree despite Beijing's recent attempts to slow the growth of the booming aviation sector.
Airframe and engine manufacturers have been worried since China's authorities announced plans to block new airlines and restrict buying of aircraft because of air safety concerns.
Such a move threatens to be a major blow for companies such as CFM International which has China as its biggest customer in Asia.
''I cannot see China stopping orders after 1995,'' Mr Avanzi told the Hong Kong Aerospace Forum.
He said CFM International, a 50-50 joint venture between SNECMA of France and General Electric of the US, had offered to help China overcome some air safety concerns through the transfer of technical know-how.
