HNA Group, China’s fourth-largest airline group and parent of Hainan Airlines Co., said it will sign aircraft purchase orders on Tuesday with leading aircraft manufacturers, including Chicago-based Boeing Co. and Airbus.

HNA was planning to sign an aircraft purchase agreement and a memorandum of understanding with leading aircraft makers, also including Dassault Aviation SA and Gulfstream Aerospace at the event, it said in a media invitation for the signing ceremony.

There has been speculation that the HNA orders could include Airbus’ A380s as the Chinese government is calling for the purchase of more wide body planes to help ease air traffic congestion. Get the full story »