Deals
United Is Near a Deal to Acquire Used Airbus Jetliners
- Carrier looks to add 30 to 40 narrow-bodies, people say
- Consultant sees ‘a cheap way of bringing in peak capacity’
Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg
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United Continental Holdings Inc. wants to acquire as many as 40 used Airbus SE jets, seeking a thrifty way to bolster short-distance service as the airline struggles to get costs under control.
The carrier is looking at A319 and A320 single-aisle aircraft, the Chicago chapter of the United pilots union said in an Oct. 10 memo to its members. A deal for 30 to 40 of the jets is “imminent,” according to the memo. The ultimate agreement could be for fewer.