Air Arabia to meet Airbus and Boeing ahead of imminent 100-jet order, says CEO

Budget airline Air Arabia is likely to order 100 or more Airbus or Boeing jets within the next three to four months, its CE said Tuesday. The United Arab Emirates’ only listed carrier has long been looking to update and expand its fleet of 54 Airbus A320 jets. “We need to put an order in. That is overdue,” Adel Ali said. The airline will hold talks with both planemakers this week, he said. The talks come against the backdrop one of the biggest crises in Boeing’s 103-year history after two of its 737 MAX jets were in fatal crashes. Air Arabia, which has only operated Airbus jets, could switch to Boeing aircraft, Ali said. “Whoever comes up with a better option we will go for,” he said. The order would replace aircraft at Air Arabia’s main base in Sharjah, UAE, and hubs in Egypt and Morocco. Air Arabia is also considering ordering smaller, regional jets for domestic flights in Egypt and Morocco, Ali said. <br/>