19 Mar 2026
#3 March 2026: China Aviation Industry Newsletter
CDB Aviation Leases Five A321neo Aircraft to LATAM
CDB Aviation signed lease agreements with LATAM Airlines Group for five Airbus A321-271NX aircraft. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2026. The agreement further strengthens the existing relationship between the lessor and the Latin American airline group, while supporting LATAM’s strategy to deploy new-generation aircraft that enhance operational efficiency and environmental performance across its network.
China Records Surge in Foreign Visitor Arrivals
China has seen a significant rise in inbound travel following the implementation of a 240-hour visa-free transit policy introduced in December 2024. Between December and mid-March, approximately 8.885 million foreign visitors entered the country, representing a 34.9% increase compared with the same period in 2024. China has also expanded its unilateral visa-free policy to 38 countries, allowing visitors to stay for up to 30 days. At Beijing Daxing International Airport alone, passenger movements have exceeded one million this year, with foreign arrivals reaching around 211,000, up nearly 68% year-on-year.
SIA Engineering Company Acquires Stake in Chinese MRO Venture
SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC) acquired a 30% equity stake in Arport Aircraft Maintenance & Engineering (Fujian) Co., Ltd., expanding its presence in China’s growing aviation maintenance sector. The investment was completed through SIAEC Global Private Limited, which secured the stake via a public tender organised by the Xiamen Equity Exchange Centre. The transaction is valued at approximately RMB 129 million (around USD 19 million).
Acumen’s Take
On CDB Aviation’s A321neo Placements
Lease placements for next-generation narrowbody aircraft remain strong as airlines continue to prioritise fleet modernisation. The A321neo platform is increasingly central to airline network flexibility and efficiency strategies.
On China’s Tourism Rebound
The sharp increase in foreign arrivals highlights the early impact of China’s visa policy reforms. Easing entry requirements is likely to accelerate the recovery of international tourism and stimulate aviation demand across key inbound markets.
On MRO Investment in China
Strategic investments in China’s maintenance sector reflect the long-term growth potential of the region’s aviation ecosystem. Expanding local MRO capacity will be critical to supporting fleet expansion and improving operational efficiency for regional carriers.
Acumen Aviation © 20 March 2026 All Rights Reserved
