Reuters
Virgin Atlantic to order planes by end-summer
Monday July 26, 5:49 am ET
LONDON, July 26 (Reuters) - Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic Airways said on Monday it remained in talks with European aerospace giant Airbus and U.S. rival Boeing for a big aircraft order by the end of the summer.
"We still think it is going to be sometime during the later part of the summer," a Virgin Atlantic spokesman told Reuters.
The Sunday Telegraph newspaper quoted Branson as saying Airbus was "marginally ahead" of Boeing for the potential $5 billion order he said was due in the next seven to 14 days.
The spokesman would not confirm Branson's remarks and said no order had been finalised.
Branson said in March he expected to complete talks with fierce rivals Airbus and Boeing by the end of summer for potentially 30 aircraft, A340s or B777s, as the airline adds new routes and increases staff.
Airbus, based in Toulouse, France, is 80 percent owned by the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. and 20 percent by BAE Systems.
Singapore Airlines Ltd owns a 49 percent stake in Virgin Atlantic.
Virgin America, a new U.S. discount airline backed by Branson, said last month it planned to acquire and lease up to 105 Airbus planes