Long-time loyal Boeing customer Xiamen Air is defecting to Airbus.
The airline has built up a sizeable fleet of more than 150 Boeing aircraft but the Max crisis has forced the airline to look elsewhere.
However it is taking small steps to begin with.
It wants to introduce 10 Airbus A321neo aircraft to its fleet and is inviting proposals from leasing firms.
The China Southern Airlines subsidiary is looking to take delivery of the planes starting from the second half of 2021.
Xiamen Air has been stung by the Max grounding.
It has 10 in its fleet and another 14 waiting to be delivered once the global grounding is lifted.
It is another setback to the US plane maker which recently posted its worst year for net orders for decades.
The Boeing 737 Max has been grounded for 10 months following two fatal crashes.
