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Aerospace & Defense Industries

China's big three airlines put off Boeing and Airbus deliveries

State carriers took every plane ordered from domestic maker COMAC

The big three Chinese carriers -- China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines and Air China -- held off on 58 planes from Boeing and 53 from Airbus in 2020. (Source photos by Reuters and Getty Images)

HONG KONG -- China's three major state-owned airlines put off delivery of over 100 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus last year -- but kept every single order from Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China, in a show of support for the domestic manufacturer during the coronavirus pandemic.

Their choice highlights COMAC's strategic importance. But given the dominance of the American and European behemoths, the Chinese airlines are expected to fulfill most of their orders in the coming years, as recovery of their domestic aviation market is way ahead of the others.

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