Airbus said on Tuesday it was in talks with several Chinese airline start-ups over the potential purchase of some 10 single-aisle jets.
Chinese airlines Spring and Autumn, Sichuan-based United Eagle, Chengdu Airlines and Shanghai Airlines are in talks with Airbus over the purchase of narrow-body A319 and A320 jets, Airbus President Laurence Barron told reporters at an aviation conference in Hong Kong.
Each of them may buy two to three jets initially and add another two to three when operations become fully fledged.
"They are in the process of making decisions," Barron said. "With these kind of companies, once they make the decision they want it as soon as possible."
Airbus may sign the deal as soon as spring next year, he said.
The 124 passenger A319 has a list price of USD$45 million, while the A320 which carries 150 passengers costs USD$50 million. Discounts are commonly given to airlines depending on relationships, negotiations and other factors.
Last week, China's Hainan Airlines confirmed it had ordered three Boeing 737-800s worth over USD$200 million at list prices. The regional Chinese carrier this month said it would buy eight narrow-body Airbus A319s.
China's fast-growing air travel market is expected to be the world's second largest for commercial aircraft in 20 years, prompting homegrown airlines to expand their fleets.
Asked whether Malaysia's low-cost carrier AirAsia has already clinched a USD$5.2 billion deal with Airbus for an order of up to 80 short-haul planes, Barron declined to comment, but said: "We're optimistic."
