Air India is about to sign an order with Boeing Co to purchase up to 150 737 Max jets, the Economic Times newspaper reported on Saturday, citing sources.
The Indian airline, owned by the Tata Group, is likely to place a firm order for 50 737 Max aircraft with an option to pick up as many as 150, the ET report said.
Industry sources had said in July that Air India was closing in on a $50 billion mega order at list prices to be split between Airbus and Boeing, which included up to 300 narrow-body and 70 wide-body jets.
The reported order would be a win for Boeing, which it said wanted to increase its capacity in India to keep up with rising demand in the world's fastest-growing major aviation market.
Indian airspace is dominated by low-cost carriers including IndiGo, SpiceJet and AirAsia India, the majority of which operate Airbus narrow-body aircraft. SpiceJet, Boeing's largest customer in India, has 155 MAX aircraft on order.
Boeing declined to comment, saying it would "turn to Air India" for an answer. Air India did not respond to a request for comment.
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