UK CARRIERS have yet to commit themselves to ordering the huge new 550-seat Airbus super-jet.
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have studied the aircraft and are interested but have yet to be convinced with the economics of ordering such a large aircraft. Both are committed to taking smaller Airbuses and Boeings in place of the current largest aircraft, the B747. BA has helped Airbus design the A3XX jet along with Japan Airlines and Lufthansa.
Asian carriers are thought more likely to order the double-decker aircraft in order to use scarce airport slots more efficiently. JAL and Singapore Airlines are tipped to buy the A3XX.