China Eastern to buy 101 Airbus jets for 15.8 billion

CHINA EASTERN AIRLINES CO-H has announced a major agreement with Airbus SE for the purchase of 101 A320NEO aircraft. The deal, valued at approximately $15.8 billion based on list prices, was revealed in a regulatory filing submitted to the Shanghai Stock Exchange on Wednesday. The transaction represents a significant investment in the aviation sector of China, as the carrier seeks to expand and modernize its narrow-body fleet. The filing noted that the delivery of the new jets is expected to take place in batches, with the first arrivals slated for 2028 and the final deliveries concluding in 2032. While the total list price for the 101 aircraft is roughly $15.8 billion, it is common practice in the industry for airlines to secure substantial discounts on large orders from manufacturers. China Eastern Airlines did not disclose the final negotiated price in the public filing.