China Eastern Airlines has signed an agreement to purchase 25 Airbus A330neo widebody aircraft as the Chinese carrier continues to modernise its long-haul fleet and strengthen its hub operations at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

The airline announced that the purchase agreement was reached on 26 June 2026, with deliveries scheduled in batches between 2029 and 2033. Four aircraft are due to arrive in 2029, followed by five in 2030, six in 2031, seven in 2032 and the remaining three in 2033.

While China Eastern did not specify the aircraft variant, the order is widely expected to consist of the Airbus A330-900, the most popular version of the A330neo family. All aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines.

The airline said the aircraft will primarily operate from Shanghai Pudong International Airport, supporting the airport’s continued development as a major international transfer hub.

China Eastern disclosed that the combined list price of the 25 aircraft is approximately US$9.35 billion, although it noted that the actual purchase price is lower following commercial discounts that are customary for large aircraft orders.

As part of its fleet renewal strategy, the carrier expects to retire at least 10 older Airbus A330 aircraft during the delivery period, improving operational efficiency and reducing fuel consumption with the newer-generation jets.

The latest agreement follows another major Airbus order placed earlier this year. In March 2026, China Eastern ordered 101 Airbus A320neo-family aircraft, comprising 83 A321neos and 18 A320neos, underscoring the airline’s long-term growth plans across both its domestic and international networks.