China Eastern orders 25 Airbus A330neo widebody jets

Dhaka: China Eastern Airlines has placed an order for 25 Airbus A330neo widebody jets, marking the planemaker's first major long-haul order from a Chinese carrier since last year, as the nation continues to favor the European manufacturer.

The Shanghai-based carrier expects the fuel-efficient jets to lower fuel costs and support its carbon-neutrality goals while expanding its international network.

The list price of the aircraft stands at around USD 9.35 billion, though China Eastern said in a statement on June 26 that it secured a substantial discount from Airbus, bringing the actual cost well below the catalog price.

The agreement remains subject to approval from Chinese authorities, with deliveries scheduled between 2029 and 2033.

While major Chinese carriers have placed orders for hundreds of Airbus aircraft since last year, those deals were all for the manufacturer's narrowbody jets.

China Eastern itself agreed in March to buy 101 A320neo family aircraft for a list price of USD 15.8 billion, also with discounts.

Airbus has been on a winning streak with Chinese customers following high-level state visits by French President Emmanuel Macron in December and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in February.

Boeing, meanwhile, has clawed back ground, landing a major Chinese order after President Donald Trump's summit with Xi Jinping.

Trump said China had agreed to buy at least 200 Boeing jets and 450 General Electric engines, with the deal potentially growing to 750 planes. Boeing confirmed an initial commitment for 200 aircraft, though Beijing’s own statement did not specify a figure.