GUANGZHOU, CHINA — China Southern Airlines, China's biggest airline in terms of fleet size, anticipates receiving over 200 single-aisle aircraft from Boeing Co. and Airbus SE within three years.


The Guangzhou-based airline's aircraft delivery and disposal plan, released today, indicates that it will acquire 103 Boeing 737 planes during this period. Additionally, the report shows that 111 Airbus A320 series aircraft will join the fleet, with 46 of these arriving in 2025 alone. This marks a significant increase in Airbus deliveries compared to the 2021 report.

Following a global grounding in response to two fatal crashes four years ago, Chinese carriers have resumed flying the 737 Max. However, new jet deliveries have not yet taken place, making China Southern's plan dependent on improved US-China relations.

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Some of the deliveries are part of a massive purchase announced in July 2022 by China's largest state-owned carriers for nearly 300 jets worth $37 billion. The order later expanded to almost 340 Airbus A320neo family aircraft.

By the end of 2025, China Southern expects to operate 431 Airbus A320-series and 451 Boeing 737-series planes, closing the gap between the US manufacturer and its European competitor in supplying narrowbody aircraft to the airline. Currently operating 894 aircraft, the carrier aims to expand its fleet size to 1,059 by the end of 2025.