Shanghai-based carrier deepens its four-decade partnership with propulsion specialist by opting for Leap-1A powerplants on incoming Airbus narrowbodies.
China Eastern Airlines has opted to stay with CFM International engines for its next batch of Airbus A320neo-family jets, ordering Leap-1As to power a batch of 101 aircraft.
The incoming fleet includes a mix of A320neo, A321neo and A321XLR variants.
Airbus offers the A320neo with either Leap-1A or Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines.
As of 30 October, the Shanghai-based carrier held outstanding orders for 141 A320neo-family jets, consisting of 26 A320neo and 115 A321neo aircraft, Airbus data shows.
Announced at a signing ceremony during the 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai on 6 November 2026, the latest agreement also covers spare engines and a long-term services contract.
China Eastern is already a long-term CFM customer and has previously opted for Leap-1As on 215 in-service A320neo-family aircraft.
Additionally, its Boeing 737 Max and Comac C919 fleets are exclusively powered by Leap-1B and -1C engines, respectively.
The airline also operates more than 380 aircraft powered by CFM56 engines across its A320ceo and 737NG fleets.
“CFM Leap engines are helping us build one of the most modern fleets in the industry, and we’re pleased to strengthen that relationship with this latest agreement,” says Xiaoqun He, executive vice-president at China Eastern Airlines.
The relationship between the two parties dates back to 1985, when China Eastern Yunnan became CFM’s first customer in mainland China when it took delivery of a Boeing 737-300 powered by CFM56-3C engines.
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