Airbus has landed a $9.5 billion order for A330neos from China Eastern Airlines, just three months after the carrier purchased 101 A320neo family aircraft.
On June 26, 2026, China Eastern Airlines advised the Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) that the two parties had met earlier that day to sign the purchase agreement for 25 A330neos.
In an English translation of the document presented to the SSE, China Eastern declared that the ”transaction will be used to supplement the Company’s future capacity as well as to replace and update existing fleet types”.
The carrier added that the new aircraft will “optimize the Company’s fleet structure and route network, improve operational and service quality, and reduce unit operating costs”.
China Eastern confirmed that the new widebody aircraft are scheduled to be delivered between 2029 and 2033.
Currently, the SkyTeam alliance member operates an active fleet of 28 Airbus A330-200s and 24 A330-300s, according to ch-aviation.
On March 25, 2026, China Eastern Airlines placed a $15.802 billion Airbus order for 101 A320neo family aircraft, comprised of A320neo, A321neo and A321XLR single aisle jets.
China Eastern Airlines has just released an announcement on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, confirming an order for 25 A330neo aircraft with a total catalogue price of 9.35 billion US dollars. Deliveries are scheduled to take place between 2029 and 2033. pic.twitter.com/cyCWnonshi
— FATIII Aviation (@FATIIIAviation) June 26, 2026
Nine of those aircraft are due to be delivered in 2028, followed by 19 in 2029 and 30 in 2030. In 2031, 27 aircraft will be delivered. Finally, 16 should arrive with the airline in 2032.
China Eastern Airlines added that, between 2028 and 2032, at least 53 Airbus A320 aircraft would be retired due to age or leases expiring.