Boeing Eyes Massive 500-Aircraft Deal with China
Hey everyone, here’s a big update from the aerospace world. Bloomberg is reporting that Boeing could be on the verge of a massive deal with China — we’re talking as many as 500 aircraft. This would be the largest agreement between the two sides in eight years. To put it in perspective, the last major sale happened back in 2017 during Trump’s first term, when Boeing sold 300 planes worth $37 billion.
Since then, Boeing’s presence in China has been limited. The company faced major setbacks, including the 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and subsequent FAA scrutiny, which slowed production for years. Meanwhile, Airbus quietly maintained its foothold, delivering around 100 aircraft per year, while Boeing’s deliveries to China almost stalled entirely. But now, things seem to be turning around. Talks with China have reportedly been ongoing for months, and the momentum is building.
Also Read:The potential order isn’t just about raw numbers. Chinese airlines were contacted by the National Development and Reform Commission to figure out how many planes would be needed to support future growth. Most of the demand appears to be for narrowbody aircraft — the kind used for domestic flights and internal expansion. This makes sense given China’s rapidly growing domestic market. Delivery slots for both Boeing and Airbus are fully booked well into the 2030s, and China’s own manufacturer, COMAC, can’t meet demand yet.
It’s important to note that the aerospace market moves slowly. Aircraft demand closely tracks GDP growth, averaging 4–5% over long periods. So even though the pandemic caused production delays and travel drops, the demand has rebounded strongly. China, being the world’s second-largest aircraft market, now represents roughly 10% of Boeing’s backlog. Boeing projects that over the next 20 years, China’s fleet could nearly double.
Currently, Boeing has 1,874 planes operating in China, compared to Airbus’s 2,326. COMAC remains a minor player with just 172 planes in service. This potential 500-plane deal would not only help Boeing catch up but also signal a major win politically, given the ongoing trade tensions and tariff suspensions between the US and China.
In the broader picture, the global commercial aircraft market is dominated by just four manufacturers. Boeing and Airbus run a duopoly, while Embraer and COMAC are relatively minor players. Narrowbody jets — the workhorses of modern air travel — remain a fiercely competitive space, and Boeing’s ability to secure this deal could reshape the industry’s balance.
So, if this deal goes through, it’s more than just a business win for Boeing. It’s a statement about market strength, political signaling, and the long-term growth of air travel in China.
Read More:
0 Comments