Airbus in talks to sell at least 100 jets to China

Airbus is in talks to sell 100 or more jetliners to China during a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to Beijing next week, people familiar with the negotiations said.

Macron plans to visit on January 8-10, accompanied by 50 company executives including plane-making officials from Airbus.

The value of a deal for around 100 aircraft would be over 10 billion US dollars at list prices, but could rise sharply depending on the breakdown between single-aisle and wide-body jets.

The total number of aircraft has yet to be agreed and has historically depended on last-minute commercial negotiations that coincide with such diplomatic visits.

China’s central purchasing agency, China Aviation Supplies Holding Company, did not respond to a request for comment.

A spokeswoman for Airbus in China said: “Discussions with customers are always going on, but we do not comment on speculation.”

In November, Boeing agreed to sell 300 planes worth 37 billion US dollars at list prices to China during a state visit by US President Donald Trump.

(CGTN)