China Eastern Signs $540M in Procurement Deals at CIIE

The headline dollar figure matters less than the mix: engines, materials and fuel are core operating inputs, while salmon and in-flight meals signal the airline is rebuilding premium cabin and catering capacity, not just keeping planes flying. The 12.6% rise in one-year booth transactions is the more telling number, suggesting procurement commitments are lengthening rather than staying spot-driven. Watch whether this forward-buying pattern holds across other Chinese carriers at future expos — that would indicate it reflects genuine capacity planning rather than a single event's showcase effect.