From Zero Hedge
By Tyler Durden
Two Reuters sources have been informed that Air Arabia, an Emirati low-cost airline, will abandon its interest in Boeing 737 MAX jets and order over 100 Airbus A320 jets as soon as next week.
The decision comes after Boeing's 737 MAX jet remains grounded worldwide following two fatal crashes.
The sources said the Emirati budget carrier would likely order 120 jets from Airbus at the Dubai Airshow next week.
The order would more than double the size of the carrier that currently operates 55 narrowbody aircraft.
The sources said Air Arabia was divided between Airbus and Boeing, but the two 737 MAX crashes created too many uncertainties for the carrier that had to side with Airbus for fleet expansion.
Last month, Florida-based Spirit Airlines was assessing if it should buy Airbus or Boeing planes. It decided to order 100 new Airbus A320s over the 737 MAX.
Airbus is on track this year, for the first time since 2011, to outpace Boeing in annual deliveries amid the 737 MAX groundings.
Airbus expects to deliver 571 jets in the first nine months of 2019.
Delivers for A321 Neo jumped 57% for the first nine months, hitting a four-month high in September.
Boeing has since halted 737 MAX deliveries and cut production by 20% to 42 per month.
The 737 Max crisis has allowed Airbus to take in a flood of new orders.
Boeing is dealing with the company's most massive crisis in 100 years.
The backlashing against Boeing is only in the beginning innings.