Boeing's China Breakthrough: A Step Forward, But Still Behind Airbus

Boeing is making progress in securing commitments from Chinese carriers, but it still lags behind Airbus in terms of firm orders. According to US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, around 150 of the 200 Boeing commitment slots are actively being formalized. The expected mix includes domestic Boeing 737 MAX narrowbodies and international Boeing 787 aircraft. However, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg has clarified that specific allocations will be announced by individual Chinese carriers at their own pace. This approach suggests that Boeing is taking a more flexible and carrier-specific approach to securing orders, which may be beneficial in the long run. Nevertheless, Airbus has already secured nearly 200 firm A320neo commitments from Air China, China Southern, and Xiamen Airlines, giving it a significant lead in the Chinese market.