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The Shanghai based airline, China Eastern is expected to welcome a massive increase in its fleet. The airline that has launched many new routes and increase frequencies to various international destinations these years, seems fully laced up to change a gear in 2011.

The airline has entered a purchase agreement with the Air framer today and is to purchase 50 Airbus A320 aircraft, as reported by Flights global. At this initial stage of the agreement, China Eastern states that the transaction is subject to approval of the company’s shareholders. These planes will become a part of the existing China Eastern Airline fleet in the coming decade as delivery stages are set from 2012 to 2015.

Based on 2005 rate list, the new A320s air craft, are said to be valued at $3.22 billion overall. However, the Chinese airline has stated that it has obtained "significant price concessions" after "arm’s length negotiations" between the carrier and Airbus. This current agreement details the purchase of 20 Airbus A320s. According to China Eastern spokesperson:

"Purchase of the aircraft will further enhance the route coverage of the company and increase the economical benefit of the company,"

The airline operates A320-family jets with a mix of CFM International CFM56 and International Aero Engines V2500 power plants and offers flights to/from China’s main cities to worldwide destinations. China Eastern also connects this vast country through an extensive domestic network with flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Wuhan and flights to Guangzhou.