JAL nears decision on potential wide-body jet order, sources say

ASIANA AIRLINES

19/03/2024 23:25

March 19 (Reuters) - Japan Airlines  9201.T  is nearing
a decision on a potential order of about two dozen wide-body
jets with Boeing  BA.N  tipped to win at least part of the
multi-billion-dollar deal with its 787 Dreamliner, industry
sources said on Tuesday.
    The carrier is the latest Asian operator to wade into a
tightening market for long-haul aircraft after a prolonged
downturn in demand for the industry's big jets.
    JAL, which is expected to review its medium-term plans on
Thursday, declined to comment.
    Boeing and Airbus also declined to comment.
    Korean Air  003490.KS  plans to buy around 20 A350 jets from
Airbus  AIR.PA , Bloomberg News reported on Monday, as it gears
up for a pending merger with Asiana Airlines  020560.KS .  
    Wide-body jets are in demand as international travel nears a
full recovery from the pandemic and has spilled over into
competition for engine and maintenance contracts.
    In February, Thai Airways officially unveiled an order for
45 Boeing 787s powered by GE engines after Airbus lost a fierce
contest to supply its Rolls Royce-powered A350s.

 (Reporting by Allison Lampert, Lisa Barrington, Tim Hepher,
Maki Shiraki; Editing by Richard Chang)
 ((tim.hepher@thomsonreuters.com; +33 1 49 49 54 52; Reuters
Messaging: tim.hepher.thomsonreuters@reuters.net))