Chinese carriers Air China and Hainan Airlines said on Friday they had signed agreements with Airbus to purchase a combined 95 aircraft, with the deals valued at up to $17.8 billion at catalogue prices, as airlines prepare for long-term capacity growth.
China's flagship carrier Air China said in a filing to the Shanghai Stock Exchange that it would buy 15 A350-900 widebody aircraft, while its subsidiary Shenzhen Airlines would purchase 40 A320neo-family narrowbody jets under agreements signed with Airbus.
Based on catalogue prices, the orders are worth about $12.44 billion in total, although Air China said the actual purchase price would be below the list price, in line with industry practice for large aircraft orders.
The aircraft are scheduled for delivery between 2029 and 2032.
Air China said the transaction, which remains subject to shareholder approval and regulatory clearances, is not expected to have a material impact on the company's cash flow or operations.
