Qatar Airways closes major Boeing, Airbus widebody orders, Bloomberg News reports By Reuters

(Reuters) – Qatar Airways PJSC is close to a decision on splitting a large wide-body order between Boeing (NYSE:) and Airbus, Bloomberg News reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The Middle Eastern airline plans to order around 200 jets, a mix of Airbus A350 and Boeing 777X models, with a decision likely as soon as the Farnborough Airshow in the UK at the end of next month, the report said.

Airbus said it was continuing discussions with customers about aircraft requirements but did not disclose details, while Boeing deferred response to Qatar Airways when asked for comment.

Qatar Airways did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.

Bloomberg reported in March that Qatar Airways was in early talks with Boeing and Airbus to order 100 to 150 wide-body jets to expand and renew its fleet.

Major airlines are racing to procure new, fuel-efficient wide-body jets to lower operating costs and meet surging demand for international travel.