Aviation News – Friedrich Merz said China plans to order up to 120 additional aircraft from Airbus, marking a major boost for the European planemaker as Berlin works to deepen economic ties with Beijing.
The announcement came during Merz’s visit to Beijing, where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang to strengthen cooperation between the world’s second- and third-largest economies. The prospective order, which could cover both narrowbody and widebody jets, underscores China’s continued reliance on European aerospace manufacturing and highlights Germany’s role as a key stakeholder in Airbus production and exports.
The additional aircraft would help Chinese carriers expand domestic and regional capacity while modernizing fleets with more fuel-efficient models. Airbus’ latest single-aisle and long-haul platforms promise lower emissions, reduced operating costs and higher passenger capacity, making them attractive options as airlines rebuild networks and manage rising travel demand.