Airbus, US Airways Near Deal on 400 Planes

Airbus Industrie would overtake Seattle-based Boeing Co. in new aircraft orders for 1997 if an order from Arlington, Va.-based US Airways Group for as many as 400 jetliners is confirmed. The European aircraft manufacturer has already won orders for 244 planes, compared with 324 for Boeing, and Airbus’ tally would rise to 364 if the contract with US Airways is signed. A tentative agreement reached Tuesday between the airline and its pilots union on a new money-saving labor contract helps clear the way for the airline to sign a contract for an order of 120 planes, with options for an additional 280, but the contract must receive final ratification for the plane order to be confirmed.