Airbus chases A330 deals at air show as model enjoys second wind

At this year’s Farnborough Air Show, Airbus SE is chasing orders for its A330neo airliner, positioning the widebody model as an attractive alternative to more advanced jets because of its favorable economics and availability. Among the possible buyers of the jet, a more advanced version of an aircraft that first entered service in the mid 1990s, are Saudi Arabia’s Flynas and Flyadeal, as well as Vietnam’s Vietjet Aviation JSC, according to people familiar with the discussions. Carriers studying orders are either still negotiating possible contracts or have completed agreements that they plan to announce at the expo kicking off on Monday, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private deliberations. A large order haul would shore up the backlog for the A330neo, which has more fuel-efficient engines and a redesigned wing. Airbus has been particularly successful over the past year with the more advanced A350 airliner, its other widebody aircraft, though slots are scarce for any new buyers. Boeing Co. is also working to build momentum for its 777X model, whose sales have flagged amid certification delays that have pushed the jet’s market entry back by at least five years from its original date. Korean Air Lines Co. said in June that it’s in the market for as many as 30 new jets from the US planemaker and is evaluating the smaller 787 Dreamliner model. The airline also said at the time that it’s planning to order new freighters and is looking at Boeing’s 777X for that. With the A321neo sold out until well into the next decade, and both Airbus and Boeing struggling to ramp up production, conversations with airline customers have circled around supply chains and delayed airplanes. Still, the annual trade show that alternates between Farnborough and Paris is still expected to produce hundreds of commercial jet orders in a mix of new deals, commitments and already booked orders.<br/>