Xiamen Airlines has become the newest Airbus customer in China, after placing an order for 40 Airbus A320neo aircraft.
According to a stock exchange statement, deliveries are expected between 2024 and 2027.
The subsidiary of China Southern Airlines (ZNH), which currently has an all-Boeing fleet, has selected Airbus for its further fleet expansion and renewal. Currently, Xiamen Airlines has a total of 150 Boeing 737s and 12 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, according to Planespotters.net.
The news comes just two months after China’s top three airlines signed a deal with Airbus for almost 300 aircraft.
China Southern placed an order for 96 A320neo aircraft, worth over $12 billion at list prices, China Eastern signed for 100 A320neos worth $13 billion, while Air China ordered 64 A320neos for itself plus 32 for unit Shenzhen Airlines.
The orders also represent a major win for Airbus against rival Boeing, which is still waiting for Chinese authorities to approve the Boeing 737 MAX’s return to service.
On September 14, 2022, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) organized a meeting with Boeing to discuss the return of the 737 MAX to the country.
But the meeting did not result in a date for when airlines can resume flights with the MAX in China’s skies. Instead, the CAAC raised additional questions regarding the 737 MAX aircraft.