China is reportedly considering a significant order of Airbus jets, with numbers potentially reaching up to 500 aircraft. This development comes amid shifting economic conditions and trade barriers affecting the aviation industry. Bloomberg reports that European leaders are preparing to visit Beijing next month to celebrate the ongoing relationship between China and Europe.
The Chinese government, which owns all major airlines in the country, is eyeing both single-aisle and widebody aircraft. The bulk of the order is expected to be for Airbus A320neo family aircraft, already manufactured at Airbus' Tianjin facility. This potential purchase follows a 2022 order of 292 Airbus A320neo models.
No new Boeing orders have been placed by China since 2017, and sources suggest that the Airbus A330neo could be part of this large order, aimed at renewing fleets for carriers like Air China and China Southern.