China Year-end Surge: Air China Orders 60 Airbus A320neo

BEIJING — Air China (CA) has signed an agreement with Airbus for 60 A320neo Family aircraft, marking one of the largest single-aisle commitments announced by a Chinese airline this year amid renewed momentum in China’s jetliner procurement pipeline.

The deal, disclosed in a regulatory filing, has a list-price value of approximately US$9.5 billion, though typical commercial discounts apply. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2028 and run through 2032, with aircraft allocated between AC and one of its wholly owned subsidiaries. The flag carrier said the new fleet would support both capacity growth and modernization, replacing older-generation narrowbodies while reducing fuel burn and emissions.

Powered by CFM LEAP-1A or Pratt & Whitney PW1100G geared turbofan engines, the A320neo Family delivers double-digit fuel-burn reductions compared to legacy A320ceo aircraft, and continues to anchor the global short- and medium-haul market. The order strengthens Airbus’ already-substantial A320neo backlog, as the manufacturer ramps production toward a long-term goal of 75 aircraft per month later in the decade.

December Wave: Chinese Airbus Narrowbody Deals

The AC purchase caps a late-December surge in Chinese Airbus orders, signaling renewed procurement appetite following a quieter period in OEM-customer engagement. Among the headline announcements in the last few days:

• Spring Airlines (9C) confirmed plans to purchase 30 A320neo aircraft, valued at up to US$4.13 billion at list price. Deliveries are slated between 2028 and 2032, subject to regulatory approval.
• Juneyao Airlines (HO) disclosed plans to acquire 25 A320-family jets, also expected to deliver between 2028 and 2032, with a list-price valuation of around US US$4.1 billion.
• Leasing firm CALC announced an additional 30-unit A320neo order earlier this week, extending its commitment to 203 aircraft of the type.

Taken together, the deals reinforce China’s position as one of Airbus’ most strategically important single-aisle markets. Airbus has been engaged in on-off negotiations since at least 2024 seeking large-scale Chinese commitments, while also recently securing agreement to resume delivery of 120 previously ordered aircraft.

Strategic Fleet Role for Air China

The AC order confirms sustained Chinese demand for next-generation single-aisle jets, strengthening Airbus’ position in the world’s second-largest aviation market and signaling confidence in long-term domestic and regional growth.

Air China operates a mixed Airbus-Boeing fleet, with the A320neo expected to play a central role across domestic trunk routes and short-haul regional flying, feeding long-haul hubs in Beijing and Chengdu. The airline noted that the new aircraft would improve cost efficiency and environmental performance, key as Chinese demand continues to recover.

As for Airbus, the A320neo Family remains the backbone of single-aisle fleets globally, with an order backlog now exceeding 8,000 aircraft across operators and lessors worldwide. The European manufacturer continues to face industry-wide supply-chain challenges but says market demand remains exceptionally strong.