China Eastern Airlines expands partnership with Thales and ACSS by selecting avionics for its new Airbus fleet

China Eastern Airlines, one of China’s three major air transportation groups, has expanded its partnership with Thales and ACSS, an L3Harris Technologies and Thales company, by selecting avionics products for its 100 new A320neo aircraft. The new agreement highlights Thales and ACSS’ consistent commitment to supporting the high-quality development of the local industry with advanced solutions and exceptional levels of services during the robust recovery of the Chinese civil aviation market.

China Eastern Airlines’ linefit selection of Thales/ACSS avionics package for its 100 new A320neo aircraft includes Thales’ Flight Management System (FMS), Low Range Radio Altimeter (LRRA) and the ACSS’ T³CAS integrated surveillance solution. The aircraft deliveries are scheduled between 2024 and 2027.

Thanks to its unique functions, intuitive interface and high reliability, Thales FMS is the choice for major airlines worldwide, with an estimated market share of over 60% of aircraft in service. With its unmatched trajectory computation accuracy and the unique dedicated DIR TO (DIRECT TO) page displaying only relevant information, this future-proof solution optimizes airline operations by reducing pilot workload, air congestion and fuel consumption.

The airline's new fleet will also be protected and guarded against 5G signal interference using Thales’ enhanced LRRA providing unparalleled reliability based on proven technology.

ACSS’ T³CAS provides pilots with greater situational awareness of surrounding aircraft using precise real-time flight data for more efficient routing and to increase airspace capacity as the market grows. It reduces maintenance costs through simple software upgrades, increasing aircraft utilization and reducing downtime.

T³CAS combines communications and surveillance into a single, lighter-weight unit. It includes the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), the Mode S Transponder with Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) In/Out, and the Terrain Awareness and Warning Systems (TAWS) functions. It also provides advanced traffic management solutions through ADS-B In Applications, Runway Overrun Prevention System (ROPS) and Low Required Navigation Performance (RNP).

As one of the largest users of Thales and ACSS products in China, China Eastern has maintained a long-standing partnership with Thales. Since its first selection of Thales avionics equipment in 2014, China Eastern has equipped approximately 200 of its A320 fleet with the full package of Thales and ACSS avionics products. In 2015, China Eastern became the first domestic airline in China to comply with the DO-260B standard by leveraging the Thales and ACSS T³CAS solution on some of its A320 aircraft. In 2018, China Eastern and Thales signed the Strategic Maintenance Cooperation Agreement for a comprehensive strategic partnership. In 2020, China Eastern selected Thales and ACSS to retrofit its 203 B737 aircraft with the NXT-800 DO-260B compliant transponders to meet CAAC’s (Civil Aviation Administration of China) ADS-B Out mandate.

"We are very proud to further strengthen the cooperation with China Eastern Airlines, one of our most valued long-term partners. The new selection demonstrates the local airlines’ continuous recognition and trust in our products and services,” Mr. Thierry Weulersse, CEO of Thales in China and Mongolia, “For more than 40 years, Thales has been a trusted partner of the Chinese aerospace industry. We look forward to working together with China Eastern and embracing the robust recovery of the Chinese civil aviation market.”

“At Thales our mission is to provide Chinese airlines with premium products and services. Our industry-leading capabilities and local engagement enables us to continue our efforts in support of local airliners to fly in a safer, greener and more efficient way.” said Francois Piolet, Vice President and General Manager, APAC & China, Aviation Global Services, Thales Avionics.

“The T³CAS selection by China Eastern Airlines provides a highly integrated solution for enhancing in-cockpit safety and operational efficiency for their A320neo fleet,” said Alan Crawford, Commercial Aviation Solutions, L3Harris, and ACSS representative. “Their selection is a direct result of our strong relationship and ACSS’ commitment to delivering industry-leading safety solutions that help augment growth for China Eastern.”

Picture credit: nitinut380 @123RF