CHINA

Boeing Reportedly Wins Air China Order: The Seattle-based company appears to have secured a $1-billion to $2-billion order to supply up to 20 new aircraft to Air China, dealing a blow to Airbus, the European consortium, which had fought hard to break the U.S. hold on the main Chinese carrier’s business. European diplomats in Beijing said forceful official representations had been made in an effort to persuade Chinese aviation authorities to reconsider, but it appears that one of China’s largest orders for new aircraft has gone to the U.S. company. Representatives of Boeing, Airbus and Air China would not comment directly on the agreement. Air China has not provided details of aircraft on its shopping list, but the order is reported to include 15 Boeing 777s, the versatile wide-bodied 400-passenger jet suitable for both domestic and long-haul international routes. Airbus had been hoping to supply its A-340.