Usair Plans Huge Airplane Order

USAir Group Inc. is considering ordering up to 120 new jetliners worth about $5 billion to help the airline reduce costs and battle lowcost competitors, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

All three of the world’s major jet makers are vying for the order, which could be the largest by a U.S. airline or leasing company this year, the newspaper reported Monday, citing anonymous sources close to the talks.

USAir spokesman Rick Weintraub confirmed that the airline had been talking with jet makers, but he would not give details.

“We have been saying for some time now that we have been in negotiations with jet makers,” he said.

Sources told the Journal the talks began about six months ago and have intensified recently. Boeing Co. appears to have surpassed Airbus Industrie as the lead contender, the newspaper said. McDonnell Douglas Corp. also is pitching hard for the order.

They said Arlington-based USAir may buy up to 100 narrow-bodied jetliners to replace several models in its domestic fleet. Under consideration are various types of Boeing 737s, Airbus A320s and McDonnell Douglas MD95s, the Journal reported.