China is in advanced talks to place a massive aircraft order with Airbus SE, potentially ranging from 200 to 500 jets. The deal may be finalized in July 2025 during a diplomatic visit by European leaders to Beijing. This would mark one of the largest commercial aviation orders ever made by China and deepen its ties with European aerospace over the United States.
China is reportedly preparing to sign a significant aircraft deal with Airbus SE, the European aerospace giant headquartered in Toulouse, France. The deal, which could be finalized during a diplomatic visit by French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in July, may involve between 200 and 500 aircraft, making it one of the largest commercial aviation orders in China’s history.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the negotiations include both narrowbody and widebody jets, with the A330neo — Airbus’s popular twin-aisle model — expected to be among the likely selections. Talks are ongoing between Chinese airlines and Airbus, although the final size of the order and the specific aircraft models are still under discussion.
Airbus SE, Europe’s leading aircraft manufacturer, has steadily expanded its footprint in China over the past decade, benefiting from ongoing trade disputes between China and the United States. The new deal would solidify Airbus’s lead in the Chinese market, especially as Boeing — its US-based rival — continues to face delivery restrictions and reputational challenges.
In 2022, China placed an order for 300 Airbus single-aisle jets worth an estimated $37 billion. That record could be shattered if the current deal materializes. Comparatively, Indian carriers Air India and IndiGo placed massive orders in 2023, with IndiGo booking 500 Airbus planes.
Trade tensions between China and the United States have significantly impacted Boeing’s ability to secure new orders. Boeing has not signed a major aircraft deal with China since 2017. In 2024, further complications arose following a mid-flight incident involving a Boeing 737 Max, compounding previous safety concerns and weakening the US manufacturer’s standing in the Chinese market.
The upcoming visit by European leaders marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and the European Union. A major Airbus deal during this time would not only serve as an economic partnership but also a strategic geopolitical signal from Chinese President Xi Jinping, emphasizing Beijing’s closer ties with Europe over Washington.
The prospective order would be negotiated through China’s centralized state-run aircraft procurement body, which typically represents the nation’s airlines in international aviation contracts.
If completed, the order would be a milestone for Airbus and a defining move in the global aerospace industry amid shifting geopolitical currents.
