CHINA EAST AIR released a circular on 14 May 2026 detailing a major transaction involving the acquisition of 101 A320neo series aircraft from Airbus SAS. The airline signed the purchase agreement on 25 March 2026.

The catalogue value of the order is approximately USD 15.80 billion (RMB 108.89 billion) based on January 2024 list prices. Airbus has granted significant price concessions following arm’s-length negotiations, and the final consideration will be subject to a price-fluctuation mechanism reflecting inflation over the delivery period.

Delivery is scheduled in phases between 2028 and 2032: nine aircraft in 2028, 19 in 2029, 30 in 2030, 27 in 2031 and 16 in 2032. At least 53 older A320 family jets are expected to retire over the same period, allowing the new fleet to serve as both replacement and growth capacity, particularly on medium-haul international routes to South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia and West Asia.

Financing will comprise internal resources, commercial bank loans and proceeds from bond and other financing instruments. Payments will be made in instalments—beginning with a deposit and staged pre-delivery payments—denominated in U.S. dollars. Management expects no material impact on near-term cash flow, earnings, assets or liabilities.

Board approval was obtained on 25 March 2026; shareholder approval will be sought at the 2025 annual general meeting. No connected persons are involved, and no shareholders are required to abstain from voting.

As at 31 March 2026, CHINA EAST AIR reported total borrowings and lease liabilities of RMB 191.75 billion, including RMB 82.14 billion in bank loans and bonds and RMB 76.75 billion in lease liabilities. The company affirms sufficient working-capital resources for at least the next 12 months.

Management cites the deal as pivotal to fleet renewal, unit cost reductions and progress toward China’s “Dual Carbon” emissions goals, reinforcing the airline’s hub-and-spoke expansion strategy anchored in Shanghai.