China is reportedly considering placing one of the largest commercial aircraft orders in recent history, potentially involving hundreds of Airbus SE jets, according to sources familiar with ongoing confidential negotiations. This possible order is expected to be announced as soon as next month during a high-profile visit by European Union leaders to Beijing celebrating 50 years of China-EU diplomatic relations.

Scale and Scope of the Airbus Order

The deal under discussion could involve as many as 200 to 500 aircraft, spanning both narrowbody and widebody models. Narrowbody planes typically serve short- to medium-haul routes, while widebody jets, including the Airbus A330neo, are crucial for long-haul international flights.

Sources indicate that the order size is still fluid and the deal might evolve or face delays before finalisation. Nonetheless, the scale of this potential transaction would surpass previous large orders from China, including a 2022 Airbus purchase of roughly 300 single-aisle jets valued at about $37 billion.

Timing and Geopolitical Significance

The anticipated announcement aligns with the planned visits of European leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Beijing. Their countries are major shareholders in Airbus, and a significant deal would serve as a diplomatic gesture marking half a century of formal relations between China and the EU.

For Chinese President Xi Jinping, this Airbus order presents a strategic message amid ongoing trade tensions with the United States. It also signals China's strengthening aviation industry ties with Europe at a time when Sino-American relations remain strained over tariffs, technology, and global trade policies.

Airbus vs Boeing: The Ongoing Aviation Rivalry in China

Historically, the Chinese aviation market has been balanced between Airbus and its American rival, Boeing Co. However, in recent years, trade disputes and safety concerns have shifted Chinese airline preferences strongly in favor of Airbus.

In 2019, China became the first country to ground Boeing’s 737 Max jets after two fatal crashes. Later, trade tensions under both the Trump and Biden administrations contributed to Beijing imposing unofficial restrictions on Boeing deliveries. In April 2025, Chinese authorities reportedly instructed airlines to halt Boeing jet deliveries amid these disputes and recent quality issues with Boeing aircraft, including a 2024 incident where a door plug blew out mid-flight.

This environment has given Airbus an upper hand, especially for widebody jets, an area where Boeing traditionally led in China. The dwindling number of twin-aisle Boeing aircraft in Chinese carriers' backlogs opens an opportunity for Airbus’s A330neo and similar models.

Comparison With Other Regional Orders

The possible Chinese Airbus order, if reaching 500 planes, would be among the largest commercial aircraft purchases worldwide. It would even surpass Air India’s 2023 order for 470 Airbus and Boeing planes and IndiGo’s record 500 narrowbody aircraft order placed with Airbus in 2023.

Procurement Process and Future Implications

China’s state-run aircraft procurement agency typically manages such major orders, negotiating on behalf of the country’s diverse airlines, both state-owned and private. This ensures coordination across the vast and rapidly growing Chinese aviation sector.

A deal of this magnitude would support China’s ambitions to expand its domestic and international air travel capacity, reflecting broader economic growth and infrastructure development. It would also deepen Europe-China industrial cooperation amid a shifting geopolitical landscape.

Conclusion

China’s potential massive Airbus order highlights how commercial aviation is intertwined with international diplomacy and global trade dynamics. This deal, expected around the time of EU leaders’ Beijing visit, signals a significant strategic alignment between China and Europe in aviation and beyond. At the same time, it underscores ongoing challenges for Boeing in the Chinese market amid political and technical hurdles. The outcome will influence not only the aviation industry but also broader geopolitical relations in the years ahead.

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