BUSINESS

China Southern Orders Airbus Jets Worth $21 Billion

Published: May. 1, 2026 1:59 p.m. GMT+8

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A China Southern Airlines passenger plane. Photo: China News Service/VCG

China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd. (600029.SH) and its subsidiary Xiamen Airlines Co. Ltd. have ordered 137 A320neo family aircraft from Airbus SE with a catalog value of about $21.4 billion.

The transaction includes 102 planes for China Southern and 35 for Xiamen Airlines, with deliveries scheduled in batches between 2028 and 2032, China Southern said in a stock exchange filing on Wednesday. Airbus granted significant price concessions, meaning the actual transaction value is lower than the catalog price.

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China Southern (102) and Xiamen Airlines (35) ordered 137 A320neo aircraft from Airbus (catalog $21.4B), deliveries 2028-2032.
Air China Cargo firmed 4 A350F freighters ($1.9B catalog), deliveries 2032-2033, with option for 6 more.
Chinese carriers' Airbus orders since late 2025 total 390; no publicized Boeing purchases since 2017.

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Who’s Who

China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd.: China Southern Airlines Co. Ltd. (600029.SH) ordered 102 A320neo family aircraft from Airbus SE, part of a 137-plane deal (including 35 for subsidiary Xiamen Airlines) worth $21.4 billion at catalog prices. Deliveries are scheduled from 2028-2032; actual value is lower due to discounts. Announced in a stock exchange filing.

Xiamen Airlines Co. Ltd.: Xiamen Airlines Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of China Southern Airlines, ordered 35 A320neo family aircraft from Airbus as part of a 137-plane deal worth $21.4 billion (catalog value). Deliveries are scheduled in batches from 2028 to 2032, with significant price discounts applied.

Airbus SE: China Southern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines ordered 137 A320neo family aircraft from Airbus SE ($21.4B catalog value, deliveries 2028-2032). Air China Cargo firm-ordered 4 A350F freighters ($1.9B, deliveries 2032-2033), with options for 6 more. Total Airbus orders by Chinese carriers since late 2025: 390, amid Boeing freeze due to geopolitics. (62 words)

Boeing Co.: Chinese airlines have frozen out Boeing amid U.S.-China geopolitical tensions and trade wars, with no publicized purchases since 2017. Market rumors in 2025 suggested orders of 500 Boeing aircraft each with Airbus, but none materialized. Future orders depend on Beijing-Washington leadership interactions. (58 words)

Air China Cargo Co. Ltd.: Air China Cargo Co. Ltd. (001391.SZ) announced an agreement to buy four A350F freighters from Airbus, valued at ~$1.9B (Jan 2024 catalog price), with deliveries 2032-2033. This converts a late 2025 intent into a firm order. They also secured rights to purchase six more by end-2027.

China Eastern Airlines Corp. Ltd.: China Eastern Airlines Corp. Ltd. (600115.SH) placed a $15.8 billion order for 101 A320neo family planes on March 25 to replace older models and expand capacity, part of 390 Airbus aircraft ordered by Chinese carriers since late 2025.

Air China Ltd.: Air China Ltd. (601111.SH) ordered 60 Airbus aircraft, contributing to the total of 390 planes purchased by Chinese carriers since late 2025 amid geopolitical tensions favoring Airbus over Boeing.

Spring Airlines Co. Ltd.: Spring Airlines Co. Ltd. (601021.SH) ordered 30 Airbus aircraft, part of Chinese carriers' 390-plane buying streak since late 2025 amid Boeing freeze-out due to geopolitical tensions.

Juneyao Airlines Co. Ltd.: Juneyao Airlines Co. Ltd. (603885.SH) ordered 25 Airbus aircraft, part of 390 planes bought by Chinese carriers since late 2025.

China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings Ltd.: China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings Ltd., an aircraft lessor, ordered 30 Airbus planes as part of recent purchases by Chinese carriers, totaling 390 aircraft since late 2025.

China Express Airlines Co. Ltd.: China Express Airlines Co. Ltd. (002928.SZ) ordered three Airbus aircraft, part of recent purchases by Chinese carriers totaling 390 planes since late 2025.

Cirium: Aviation consultancy Cirium said in March that Chinese airlines' new aircraft orders align with mutual visits between Chinese and European leaders. Beijing-Washington interactions could lead to Boeing orders, depending on geopolitical shifts.

AI generated, for reference only