Officials at a technical college in China have splashed out more than GBP 1.6 million on an Airbus A320 plane so that its students can perfect their skills.

Drone footage shows the massive aircraft being carried by a lorry before it was left at the Hangzhou Vocational and Technical College, in the eastern Zhejiang Province.

School authorities reportedly splurged CNY 15 million (GBP 1.6 million) on the plane, to enable the students to gain more practical experience.

An Aircraft Maintenance student at the school, identified as 19-year-old Cai Jiangtao, said he felt excited when he saw the narrow body plane being delivered.

Cai said: 'I was shocked when I saw it at first. I have only flown in small airplanes before, and I have never been in close contact with large-scale aircraft.

'I went out and took photos of the passenger plane yesterday, and I sent them to my family and friends. They were so jealous!'

The young student said aircraft maintenance training and learning at the school used to be simulated in the past, and mostly included putting together various aircraft parts.

He continued: 'I'm still looking forward to working in the big aircraft. The environmental simulation will definitely be more realistic during training, and it will also help us accumulate more practical experience.'

Liu Shubo, deputy dean of the Aviation and Yachting School at the college, said: 'One of the greatest features of this aircraft is that it meets the airworthiness requirements.'

According to Shubo, the plane, which possesses a fuselage diameter of 37.57 metres (123 feet) and a wingspan of 35.8 metres (117 feet), was regularly operating before the school purchased it from Air Canada.

Shubo added: 'The plane took off from the USA. After being transferred to many places due to flight restrictions, it took half a month to land at Wenzhou Longwan International Airport.'

At the airport, the plane was reportedly dismantled by professional technicians and transported to the school in four trips.

The fuselage, which was the largest and the most difficult part to transport, was brought to the school on December 13.

School secretary Shao Weijun said: 'The Airbus A320 aircraft we purchased is mainly used for teaching, which is relatively rare in China.

'It is the first school in Zhejiang to introduce an aircraft in airworthy condition.'

More than 400 students are expected to benefit by taking part in practical training involving the aircraft as of spring 2024.

The Airbus A320 is used on short haul routes. It is the best-selling commercial aircraft in the world, with more than 11,000 in service.