China has signed orders to purchase 140 Airbus planes for $17 billion, its state aircraft buying agency said on Friday.
The deal was agreed during German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit to Beijing, the China Aviation Supplies (CAS) confirmed in a statement.
China’s “Big Three” state airlines in July pledged to buy a total of 292 Airbus jets, making it the biggest order at the time by Chinese carriers since the Covid-19 pandemic – and a breakthrough for Europe as Boeing remains partially frozen out of China.
Also on AF: China Evergrande Chairman’s $89m Hong Kong Mansion Seized
Boeing suggested it may have to make do without Chinese deliveries for some time amid the zero Covid policy and US-Chinese tensions.
Boeing, which has started reselling planes originally built for China, told investors on Wednesday it could reach its goals without the Chinese market, which usually represents a quarter of Western deliveries.
Friday’s purchase agreement includes 132 of the European planemaker’s A320 series planes and eight A350 planes, the company said.
- Reuters, with additional editing from Alfie Habershon
Read more:
China Sees C919 Jet Flying High With Rivals Boeing, Airbus
Malaysia Airlines Nears Deal on Airbus 330neo Fleet
Tensions Rise in China Cities as Covid Cases Hit 6-Month High
