China authorizes delivery of 120 Airbus aircraft as new orders remain stalled

Airbus has received approval from Chinese authorities to deliver 120 aircraft already on order, while a separate agreement for the potential purchase of around 500 additional jets remains unresolved.

The delivery clearance, confirmed after French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Beijing, applies solely to aircraft recorded in Airbus’s current order book.

Negotiations for a larger contract involving approximately 500 aircraft have not moved forward since the start of 2024. Reports cite persistent geopolitical tensions between China and Western governments as a key factor delaying progress.

Nine Chinese operators currently hold firm orders exceeding 350 Airbus aircraft, including A320neo family and A350 models.

In China, public disclosure of large commercial aircraft orders typically occurs at the point of delivery rather than at the time of contract signing.

The Chinese market remains politically sensitive for major manufacturers such as Airbus and Boeing. The recent authorization is viewed as significant for Airbus’s ongoing operations, given the scale of undelivered aircraft in the region.

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