One of Gloucestershire's largest employers is continuing to expand its involvement in China.

At this year's Airshow China event, Staverton-based aerospace company, Safran Landing Systems signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Civil Aviation University of China and the French national civil aviation school ENAC.

It involves a study of the potential of electric taxiing systems for aircraft at major international airports in which French-owned Safran is leading the way.

Instead of using its jet engines to taxi around airports, electric taxiing involves moving the aircraft using electric motors installed in the wheels of the landing gear.

With this system airlines can save up to four cent on fuel and halve their emissions of carbon and other greenhouse gases.

"We are very pleased to have signed this partnership with two world-class aviation schools," said Jean-Paul Alary, CEO of Safran Landing Systems.

"It will guarantee the complete success of a program that promises major improvements for both airports and airlines. Through this alliance, we will be able to assess case by case the additional value brought by our electrical taxiing solution based on each airport and airline profile."