China airlines may order up to 500 Boeing jets

That part of the deal could involve around 100 widebody jets, including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the new Boeing 777X.

The American aircraft manufacturer Boeing is reportedly close to securing a large aircraft order from Chinese airlines, potentially marking the company’s most significant deal with China in nearly a decade.

According to reports from Bloomberg News, negotiations between Boeing and Chinese carriers could involve an order for as many as 500 aircraft from the 737 MAX family. If finalised, the deal would represent one of the largest commercial jet orders in recent years and a major breakthrough for Boeing in a market that has been largely closed to the company since tensions between Washington and Beijing intensified.

The discussions also include the possibility of a separate agreement for long-haul aircraft. That part of the deal could involve around 100 widebody jets, including the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the new Boeing 777X.

China has historically been one of the most important markets for global aircraft manufacturers because of its rapidly expanding aviation sector. Before diplomatic and regulatory tensions slowed orders, Chinese airlines were among the largest buyers of Boeing aircraft.

The relationship became strained after the worldwide grounding of the 737 MAX following two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019. China was the first country to ground the aircraft and one of the last major markets to allow it to return to service.

At the same time, broader geopolitical tensions between the United States and China complicated commercial aircraft sales. During that period, European rival Airbus secured several large orders from Chinese carriers while Boeing saw fewer deals.

A new agreement would signal a shift in that pattern. Chinese airlines are expanding their fleets as air travel demand continues to grow domestically and internationally. Many carriers need large numbers of narrowbody aircraft such as the 737 MAX to operate high-frequency domestic routes.

Widebody aircraft such as the 787 and 777X are typically used for long-distance international routes connecting Asia with Europe, North America and the Middle East.

Industry analysts say a deal of this size would be important for Boeing not only financially but also strategically. China is expected to become the world’s largest aviation market within the next two decades, making access to Chinese airline orders critical for both major aircraft manufacturers.

Negotiations are still ongoing, and final details of the potential order have not yet been confirmed. If the agreement is completed, it would represent Boeing’s first major aircraft order from China in many years and a significant moment for the global aviation industry.