Directors of Delta Air Lines are expected to vote this week on whether to order 100 of Boeing's 737-900ER jets worth USD$8.58 billion, Bloomberg News said, citing two people familiar with the matter.
Delta had been expected to buy up to 200 new aircraft this year, with chief executive Richard Anderson telling reporters in Mexico earlier this month that he regarded the single-aisle 737 as a "very competitive product."
Delta spokesman Trebor Banstetter neither confirmed nor denied the report, saying: "Delta has been holding discussions with major manufacturers on a long-term plan to replace older aircraft, in order to maintain a flexible, cost-efficient fleet."
Such an order could be a shot in the arm for Boeing after American Airlines broke its long exclusive relationship with the US jet maker and split an order between Boeing and rival Airbus.
(Reuters)