In what seems to be a major win for European planemaker Airbus, the latter has secured a combined order of 95 aircraft from three Chinese airlines for a total list price of about USD 17.8 billion, as carriers in the world’s second-largest aviation market push to expand capacity and modernise their fleets with more fuel-efficient jets.
Air China’s unit Shenzhen Airlines will buy 55 Airbus aircraft for a total list price of US 12.4 billion, while Hainan Airlines separately agreed to purchase 40 A320neo-family jets for a list price of up to US 5.4 billion, according to filings with the Shanghai Stock Exchange.
Air China, the flag carrier representing the world’ second-largest economy, agreed to buy 15 A350-900 wide-body jets, while Shenzhen Airlines will separately purchase 40 narrow-body A320neo-family aircraft.
The A350-900 jets, with a list value of about UD 6.09 billion, will be delivered between 2030 and 2032. The 40 A320neo family aircraft, on the other hand, valued at about USD 6.35 billion, are slated for delivery between 2029 and 2032. Hainan Airlines’ 40 A320neo jets are scheduled for delivery between 2028 and 2032.
“The actual transaction prices will be lower than the listed values, with Airbus offering significant discounts, a standard practice for sizeable aircraft orders,” Air China said in the Shanghai Stock Exchange filing.
The orders arrive as Chinese carriers continue to rebuild and expand their fleets following the COVID pandemic, even as the country’s biggest airlines face a more challenging outlook. Air China reportedly flagged a net loss of up to 2.6 billion yuan for the first half of the year, blaming elevated fuel prices behind its “drastically squeezed” profit margins.
Airbus has been steadily increasing its order book in the world’s second-largest economy. China Eastern Airlines plans to buy 25 A330neo jets for about USD 9.35 billion, after announcing plans in March to purchase 101 A320neo aircraft for about USD 15.8 billion. In April, China Southern Airlines and its subsidiary Xiamen Airlines agreed to buy 137 aircraft from the European aviation giant for USD 21.4 billion.
“The new jets are expected to boost the total capacity by about 7.1% for the Air China group and 4.3% for Shenzhen Airlines, based on the group’s combined passenger and cargo capacity as of December 31, 2025, though some of the aircraft will replace ageing jets being retired,” reported Reuters.
The A320neo family competes with the Boeing 737 MAX on medium-haul routes, while the A350-900 widebody has been a proven performer on the long-haul international routes.