Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday that Chinese airlines plan to purchase approximately 500 Airbus aircraft during upcoming European leader visits to Beijing.
The order negotiations involve both narrowbody and widebody jets because Chinese airlines need to fulfill increasing domestic and international flight requirements. The aircraft order negotiations remain in progress but a minimum of 300 aircraft would provide Airbus with substantial growth despite ongoing trade tensions and Boeing competition.
Chinese carriers have shown minimal aircraft orders during the past few years because trade uncertainties and the pandemic reduced market demand. The Chinese government works to replace its aging aircraft fleet after multiple years of limited aircraft purchases.
The Chinese government uses major aircraft purchase announcements during state visits to demonstrate the aerospace industry’s vital role in international trade relations.
The potential order faces risks of last-minute changes despite current optimism about its progress because advanced negotiations can still fail. The ongoing trade tensions between China and the U.S. along with President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade policy that imposes tariffs on numerous goods make any final agreement susceptible to sudden modifications.
The confirmed orders would establish Airbus as the preferred aviation supplier in China’s expanding market which aims to become the world’s largest.
