China weighs major Airbus airliner order

China is considering placing an order for hundreds of Airbus SE aircraft as soon as next month, when European leaders visit Beijing to celebrate the countries' long-term ties, according to people familiar with the matter.

- SIDDHARTH PHILIP DANNY LEE

Deliberations are underway with Chinese airlines about the size of a potential order, said the people, who asked not to be named discussing confidential matters. A deal could involve about 300 planes and include both narrowbody and widebody models, they said, with one person saying the order could range between 200 and as many as 500 aircraft.

Negotiations are fluid and could fall apart or take longer to reach a conclusion, the people said.

Airbus declined to comment. Representatives for the Civil Aviation Administration of China didn't respond to a faxed request for comment.

The European plane maker rose as much as 2.3% in early Paris trading. Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc, which makes engines for Airbus's widebody aircraft, rose as much as 0.7% in London.