China’s national airline, Air China, has signed a major agreement with Airbus covering the purchase of 60 A320neo aircraft, valued at approximately USD 9.5 billion. Deliveries will be carried out between 2028 and 2032.
Air China announced on Tuesday that it has signed a new aircraft purchase agreement with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus through a subsidiary. Under the agreement, 60 A320neo narrow-body aircraft will be acquired. It was stated that, based on list prices, the total value of the aircraft is approximately USD 9.5 billion.
Deliveries to Take Place Between 2028 and 2032
In a filing to the Shanghai Stock Exchange, Air China stated that the aircraft in question will be delivered in batches between 2028 and 2032. The order is said to be part of the company’s fleet renewal and capacity expansion strategy.
In a statement issued by Airbus, the following remarks were included:
“We are very pleased to once again see Air China’s confidence in the A320 family.”
Airbus Accelerates Its Moves in the Chinese Market
This agreement has become the latest link in a series of consecutive orders in favour of Airbus in China’s rapidly growing aviation market. In recent days, Spring Airlines and Juneyao Airlines have also announced plans to purchase Airbus aircraft.
US-based independent aviation analyst Li Hanming stated that the purchase in question is part of the framework agreement signed in 2022 between China Aviation Supplies Holding Company (CASC) and Airbus. This framework agreement covered a total of 132 A320 family aircraft, worth approximately USD 17 billion, as well as 8 A350 wide-body aircraft.
Saying that “negotiations for individual contracts take time,” Li noted that the latest agreement is a natural outcome of this process.
Boeing Tensions Give Airbus an Advantage
According to experts, the long-standing political and trade tensions between Beijing and Washington are making it more difficult for US aircraft manufacturer Boeing to secure new orders in the Chinese market.
