Overview
- The purchase agreement that China Eastern signed on Friday, June 26, 2026, covers 25 Airbus A330neo aircraft at a catalogue value of about US$9.35 billion and schedules deliveries from 2029 to 2033.
- China Eastern told the Shanghai Stock Exchange the jets will supplement future capacity and replace older types to improve service, operational efficiency and fleet structure.
- The airline said at least 53 A320s will be retired between 2028 and 2032 due to age or lease expiries, signaling a coordinated multi‑year renewal that pairs this widebody order with its March order for 101 A320neo‑family single‑aisle jets.
- China Eastern and reporting outlets note the US$9.35 billion figure is an Airbus list price from January 2025 and the actual deal will include negotiated discounts; the carrier plans to fund the purchase through a mix of its own capital, loans, bond sales and other financing.
- The move reflects a broader push by major Chinese carriers to restore and expand international services after the pandemic and strengthens Airbus’s footprint in China while giving passengers more long‑haul frequencies and newer cabins over the next decade.