China to Procure 120 Airbus Jets Following Summit

In a major boost for the European aerospace industry, China has committed to purchasing approximately 120 additional aircraft from the aviation titan, Airbus. The announcement was made on Wednesday by the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, following a high-level diplomatic summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

The deal marks a significant milestone in Sino-European trade relations, particularly as it underscores the continuing dominance of Airbus in the Chinese market amidst ongoing global supply chain shifts and geopolitical complexities.

A Landmark Diplomatic Success

Chancellor Merz, who assumed office in 2025, is currently on his maiden official visit to the People's Republic. Speaking to reporters shortly after his audience with President Xi, the Chancellor highlighted the deal as a testament to the efficacy of direct diplomatic engagement.

"China will place a substantial order for more Airbus aircraft. The total order is expected to reach up to 120 planes," Merz confirmed. "This agreement serves as definitive proof of just how productive such international visits can be for our economic interests."

While the Chancellor refrained from specifying the exact mix of aircraft models or a definitive delivery timeline, industry analysts suggest the order likely comprises a combination of the highly popular A320neo family for domestic routes and the wide-body A350 for international expansion.

Strategic Impact and Market Context

This procurement follows a pattern of large-scale Chinese aviation investments designed to rejuvenate its fleet following the post-pandemic travel surge. Airbus has increasingly capitalised on the regulatory hurdles faced by its American rival, Boeing, in the Chinese territory.

Expanding the European Footprint

The Chancellor further intimated that this order is merely the vanguard of a broader economic collaboration. He noted that several other auxiliary contracts involving Airbus and Chinese state-owned enterprises are currently in the final stages of negotiation.

These secondary agreements are expected to cover areas such as local assembly in Tianjin, maintenance and repair services (MRO), and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) initiatives. For Airbus, which already operates a significant final assembly line in China, this 120-jet commitment secures its production backlog well into the next decade and strengthens its strategic foothold in the world's fastest-growing aviation market.

The deal also provides a much-needed victory for the Merz administration, demonstrating Germany's ability to maintain robust commercial ties with Beijing while navigating the broader European Union policy of de-risking trade.