Airline and holiday group Jet2 is reported to be in “advanced talks” to buy dozens of aircraft from Airbus in a “potential blow” to current supplier Boeing.
A report by Reuters said that the leisure carrier could buy about 50 narrowbody jets from European manufacturer Airbus, worth about $5 billion “before widespread airline industry discounts of at least 50%”.
Reuters said it would be an “unusual decision” by a leisure carrier to switch suppliers, if it were confirmed.
A Jet2 spokesperson told Travel Weekly: “As a successful airline and tour operator we are constantly in discussion with different aircraft manufacturers – this is part of our normal course of business.”
Airbus and Boeing both declined to comment on the Reuters report.
Another source, however, told Reuters that it was too early to speculate on a deal with the European manufacturer.
Reuters said Jet2’s fleet decisions have captured attention “because it remains one of the few medium-haul airlines yet to make a choice between the latest generation of narrowbody jets, the 150-seat A320neo or larger A321neo, and the Boeing 737 MAX”.
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