Chinese airlines are jointly negotiating to buy more than 70 narrow-body A320 planes from European aircraft maker Airbus, said sources close to the deal, which should be worth around USD$5 billion.
The order, expected to be signed during Premier Wen Jiabao's trip to France this week, would trump rival Boeing's 70 jet deal agreed on before US President George W. Bush's visit to China in November, sources at three domestic carriers said on Tuesday.
China's three biggest airlines -- China Southern Airlines, Air China and China Eastern Airlines -- were among the potential buyers, the sources said.
The final tally of aircraft was still being finalized but the order would be new, they added.
Asia has emerged as a battleground in Boeing's effort to regain market share from Airbus, which is controlled by EADS based in Germany and France. British defence contractor BAE Systems owns 20 percent.
"The order will exceed 70 planes from the A320 family of aircraft," an executive with one of the Chinese airlines said on condition of anonymity.
The sources declined to say how much the deal was worth but list prices suggest a figure of around USD$5 billion. Discounts are routine, however.
Airlines not involved included Shanghai Airlines the sources said.
A320 family planes are standard workhorses for short- to medium-range trips, typically seating around 150.
China agreed to buy 70 similar 737 planes from Boeing in a deal worth up to about USD$5 billion before Bush visited the country earlier this month.
That order -- to be shared among several carriers -- marked the latest in a series of coups in Asia for Boeing, which in January signed an agreement with China worth about USD$7.2 billion to sell up to 60 of its newest wide-body plane, the 787.
Boeing has said it expected China's domestic passenger market to grow at an average annual rate of 8.8 percent over the next 20 years.
China often waits for its leaders to travel abroad or for foreign leaders to visit Beijing to announce such big business deals.
