Qantas launches contest to replace small jets -sources

Qantas is in talks with several planemakers over plans to renew its main narrowbody and regional airliner fleets and is expected to formalise the negotiations with a tender announcement within days, industry sources said. The Australian carrier is studying the Airbus (AIR.PA) A220 and Brazilian Embraer's E2 to replace a regional fleet of 20 Boeing 717s and 18 Fokker 100s, they added. Boeing's 737 MAX 7, the smallest member of its best-selling single-aisle family, is also seen as a contender. In the busiest part of the market, Airbus and Boeing are competing head to head as Qantas also seeks to replace Boeing 737-800s, the oldest of which are nearly 20 years old. The combined moves could lead to staggered purchases of as many as 100 jets including options, the sources said.<br/>