Report says Airbus in talks with China for 150 planes

Paris: European jet maker Airbus is negotiating with China for the sale of 150 planes with a catalogue price of $16 billion (Dh58.72 billion), French business daily La Tribune reported on Monday.

Citing anonymous sources, La Tribune said talks between Airbus and China were for 120 medium-haul A320s and 30 long-haul A330s and A350s.

The deal is expected to be formally unveiled in November during a planned visit to France by Chinese President Hu Jintao, La Tribune said.

The newspaper reported some of the sources saying the total number of jets could be as high as 200 or more and could include A380 superjumbos.

"Discussions have just begun with Air China over five to 10 models" of the A380, the paper said.

France's junior transport minister, Dominique Bussereau, is set to meet his Chinese counterparts today during a visit to China.