European aerospace giant Airbus has clinched a massive order for 148 A320neo aircraft from Chinese airlines, worth billions of dollars. The deals, secured from carriers including state-owned Air China, mark a decisive victory over US rival Boeing in the critical Chinese aviation market.
Just weeks after Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury accompanied France’s president to Beijing, the European manufacturer’s sales team is celebrating. In a rapid one-two punch, Airbus secured commitments for 90 jets on Tuesday, following an order for 55 on Monday, with a further 3 from a regional carrier, reported the South China Morning Post (SCMP). This flurry of activity brings the total to 148 narrow-body aircraft, solidifying Airbus’s dominance as Boeing struggles to regain footing in China.
The largest single commitment came from Air China, the national flag carrier. The airline announced a deal to purchase 60 A320neo jets, with a staggering list price of US$9.53 billion. According to SCMP, the order includes a “substantial discount” and vendor financing from Airbus, with deliveries scheduled between 2028 and 2032. This move is pending shareholder and government approval but signals a long-term fleet strategy aligned with the European manufacturer.
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On the same day, the China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings (CALC), a major state-owned lessor, signed for 30 more A320neos. Mike Poon, executive director and CEO of CALC, stated the order reinforced the group’s “strategic vision for sustainable growth.” This partnership pushes CALC’s total Airbus orders to 282 aircraft, making it one of the manufacturer’s most important global leasing clients. The jets are slated for delivery before 2033.
This sales surge didn’t happen in a vacuum. It follows orders on Monday from two Shanghai-based carriers: Juneyao Air for 25 planes and Spring Airlines for 30, together valued at a list price of US$8.2 billion. For Airbus executives like Benoit de Saint-Exupery, executive vice-president of sales, this collective endorsement is a powerful vote of confidence in the fuel-efficient A320neo family.
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The contrast with Boeing could not be more stark. The American rival’s last major deal in China dates back to November 2017, when it sold 300 planes. Since then, its commercial prospects have plummeted, hampered by the prolonged grounding of the 737 MAX following fatal crashes and escalating geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing. While US lawmakers have hinted at future Boeing sales, no concrete orders have materialized, leaving the field open for Airbus.
Analysts see this as more than a simple commercial transaction. The timing, following high-level diplomatic engagements, underscores the deep economic ties between China and Europe. For Chinese airlines, the A320neo offers a reliable, efficient workhorse to meet surging domestic travel demand without the political baggage associated with US-made aircraft. For Airbus, it secures production lines in Toulouse and Hamburg for years to come and delivers a formidable setback to its chief competitor in the world’s most promising aviation growth market.
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