BEIJING/HAMBURG – Chinese airlines are preparing to place a massive order for Airbus jets, with negotiations reportedly covering as many as 500 aircraft, according to people familiar with the matter.

The potential deal, which would rank among the largest in Airbus history, is expected to include a mix of A320neo-family narrowbodies and long-haul models such as the A330neo and possibly the A350, industry sources said.

China Southern Airlines, Air China and China Eastern Airlines are each in line for around 100 planes, while Xiamen Air and Sichuan Airlines Group could take about 35 each, the people said.

An announcement had been planned for the EU-China summit in July to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations, but rising trade frictions and geopolitical tensions—particularly over the war in Ukraine—derailed the timing. Officials are now waiting for a more favorable political moment, potentially during a visit by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz or French President Emmanuel Macron to Beijing.

Analysts say Chinese carriers are moving early to secure scarce production slots, with Airbus and Boeing largely sold out well into the 2030s. Demand for the A320neo and A350 families remains especially strong.

Airbus has been assembling A320-family aircraft in Tianjin since 2008 and expanded output with a second line in 2013. In January 2025, China’s aviation regulator CAAC certified the A330neo, clearing the way for domestic deployment.

Neither Airbus nor the airlines have confirmed the talks. Still, industry experts view the negotiations as advanced, with contracts largely prepared and awaiting political sign-off.

Key facts:

• Up to 500 aircraft under discussion
• Distribution mainly across five Chinese airlines
• Negotiations ongoing for more than a year
• Political announcement postponed from July summit
• A330neo approved for China in January 2025

If finalized, the deal would underscore Airbus’s strengthening foothold in China and mark a significant setback for Boeing, which has struggled to regain market share in the world’s second-largest aviation market. (zai)