Transportation
Airbus Hunts for Delivery Slots to Win Over Key Boeing Customer
- United has voiced frustration with Boeing after Alaska blowout
- US carrier is still loyal customer, has bought from Airbus
A United Airlines planes land at Newark Liberty International Airport.
Photographer: Justin Sullivan/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
Airbus SE is seeking to persuade customers to return some aircraft delivery slots that it could then hand over to United Airlines Holdings Inc., going all out for the rare chance to snatch a marquee order away from embattled rival Boeing Co.
The European planemaker has inquired with jet leasing firms and airlines, proposing to buy back slots for Airbus’s popular A321neo single-aisle jet where it can over coming years, people familiar with the discussions said. United, for its part, is also exploring how it could potentially get out of its agreement with Boeing for hundreds of the long-delayed 737 Max 10 aircraft, one of the people said.