Airbus wins Chinese airline’s 101-plane order in victory over Boeing in key market

China Eastern Airlines said on Wednesday it placed a multibillion-dollar order for 101 Airbus A320neo aircraft, marking another success for the French company after it raked in big orders from Chinese airlines in December and amid uncertainties related to a widely speculated potential deal between its rival Boeing and Beijing.

While the list price of the deal would be US$15.8 billion, China Eastern said Airbus had granted it “a significant price discount” which was “more favourable than the pricing secured in the company’s previous aircraft purchases from Airbus”. Sizeable discounts are common on big orders in the industry.

The deal was pending approval from the airline’s shareholders and relevant state authorities, according to a statement. The jets would be delivered to China Eastern between 2028 and 2032.

This deal would expand the Shanghai-based carrier’s narrowbody capacity while reducing fuel costs and helping achieve carbon-neutrality goals, the statement said.

Last year, Airbus secured orders for 148 A320 aircraft from several Chinese airlines and a state-owned aircraft leasing group. China Eastern was not part of that deal.

While Airbus keeps taking in orders, the speculated Boeing deal has yet to materialise, with the delayed visit to China by US President Donald Trump adding more uncertainty.