As part of its expansion in China, Michelin has announced the formation of a new organisation: MSAT (Michelin [Shanghai] Aircraft Tire Trading Co. Ltd.) to improve service levels and product availability to its aviation customers in the region.
Michelin already provides tires to customers in China, including Air China, China Eastern, China Southern, Hainan Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines and Xiamen Airlines. With its new venture and through the right mix of products, innovations and services Michelin will provide its China customers with targeted, high quality solutions that fit their business and help them grow.
Michelin’s belief in the China aviation market is reflected in predictions by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China which expects there to be an increase of more than 4,500 civilian aircraft over the next 20 years and by the year 2030, China’s share of the global aircraft fleet will increase from 9 per cent to 15 per cent.
More recently, Michelin has also been selected as the tire supplier for Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd., specifically for its twin-engine narrow-body C919 aircraft. Its first commercial flight would be done at the end of 2016.