(News Bulletin 247) – The American company is in discussions with the European aeronautical group to order A350 and A330 neo, according to Bloomberg, which mentions “dozens” of potential units. Which gives a little energy to the action.

If the supply, or more precisely the capacity to deliver the planes, has sometimes failed Airbus in recent months, the former EADS still seems to be able to count on robust demand. Witness the information reported Monday evening by Bloomberg.

According to anonymous sources quoted by the press agency, the American company Delta Air Lines would discuss with the European aeronautical group with a view to a “significant” order for large carriers, both A350 and A330 neo (re-engined version of the A330).

According to the agency’s sources, a final agreement is not yet assured at this stage. The potential order could be for “tens” of aircraft, with Delta Air Lines working on replacing a total of 100 older planes, namely A330s and 767s.

Contacted by News Bulletin 247, an Airbus spokesperson did not comment.

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Wave of replacements

The group’s potential order is consistent with the optimism displayed by all the airlines, which are seeing continued strong demand and a recovery on long-haul flights. Companies are thus increasing their flight capacity and are encouraged to resume their projects to rejuvenate their long-haul fleets, which they had been able to put on hold during the pandemic.

On the Paris Stock Exchange, the Airbus share seems to appreciate this press information, the title taking more than 2.2% around 3:15 p.m., the largest increase in the CAC 40.

“It’s positive for Airbus because it confirms that the big wave of wide-body replacements is coming and this order would give Airbus even more visibility. Especially since Delta has a reputation for planning the evolution of its fleet and is a reference in this area. This would send a message of confidence even if obviously it will then be necessary to deliver the planes”, develops a financial analyst.

For Jefferies, “the order, if confirmed, will benefit […] greatly to Rolls-Royce, the sole engine supplier for the A330neo and A350, as well as to Airbus.”

On the London Stock Exchange, Rolls-Royce advances by 2.2%. The British engine manufacturer can also benefit from the decision of Jefferies, precisely, which has decided to consecrate the value as its favorite in the European aeronautical sector.

The Paris Air Show in sight

This press information also comes a few days after Turkish Airlines announced that it would place an order for 600 planes, with 400 single-aisle and 200 wide-body aircraft. The split of the order between Airbus and Boeing has not been announced. The veil could be lifted in two stages, with a first announcement in early June, during an event organized by the International Air Transport Association, and a second the week of June 19 at the Paris Air Show.

Until then, the market will continue to follow the evolution of Airbus deliveries. For the time being, the group has, at the end of April, delivered 181 planes, 9 less than over the same period last year, knowing that it will have to deliver 540 over the next eight months to meet the target of 720 devices. Two weeks ago, Guillaume Faury, the executive chairman of Airbus, indicated that the achievement of this objective would be played out at the end of the year, in particular over the last four months.

Bank of America believes that the group’s supply chain, currently under strain, is nevertheless improving and should continue to improve, thus supporting deliveries in the second half. “‘But it is clear that the profile of deliveries concentrated on the end of the year is a concern for some investors,’ she underlines. Thus the American bank thinks that the subject of tensions in the supply chain will be an important point of attention during the Paris Air Show.