GE Aerospace Signs Agreements Worth Over $12.9 Billion in China
en.Wedoany.com Reported - On November 6, GE Aerospace of the United States signed multiple aviation engine sales and service cooperation agreements with China Eastern Airlines, Zhuhai MTU, and other companies during the 9th China International Import Expo held in Shanghai, with a total value exceeding $12.9 billion, setting a new record for the company's contract signing amount at any previous CIIE. The cooperation covers new aircraft engine selection, spare engine procurement, long-term maintenance services, and engine supply and repair operations.
China Eastern Airlines signed an engine procurement and long-term service agreement with CFM International to select LEAP-1A engines for its newly ordered 101 Airbus A320neo family aircraft. The engine selection involves 202 engines, including spare engines and long-term service support. The 101 aircraft cover models including the A320neo, A321neo, and A321XLR. According to the aircraft procurement plan previously announced by China Eastern, these aircraft will be delivered in batches from 2028 to 2032.
In addition to the engine selection agreement above, GE Aerospace also signed another spare engine procurement agreement with China Eastern covering 14 LEAP-1A, LEAP-1C, and CFM56-7B engines, addressing the power assurance needs of China Eastern's different aircraft types. Among them, the LEAP-1A is used for Airbus A320neo family aircraft, the LEAP-1C for the COMAC C919, and the CFM56-7B for Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft.
GE Aerospace also reached a supply and maintenance cooperation agreement with Zhuhai MTU Engine Maintenance Co., Ltd. Zhuhai MTU is a maintenance enterprise established as a joint venture between China Southern Air Holding Group and German engine manufacturer MTU Aero Engines, with operations covering commercial aviation engine maintenance and related technical services. This cooperation further expands GE Aerospace's business scope in China's engine aftermarket service sector.
As of November 2026, China Eastern has 215 Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft equipped with LEAP-1A engines, and also operates Boeing 737 MAX aircraft equipped with LEAP-1B engines and domestically produced C919 aircraft equipped with LEAP-1C engines. In addition, more than 380 aircraft in China Eastern's fleet use CFM56 series engines. The newly added engine procurement and long-term service cooperation involves multiple aircraft types and will dovetail with China Eastern's subsequent narrowbody fleet renewal and maintenance support for its existing fleet.
