American Cancels Airbus A-330 Order , Dominoing WB Market Into Boeing Hands

Airbus has lost two battles recently (Hawaiian, American) making anything Airbus sales says, a dubious comment thrown out to the press. Boeing stands to profit as American Airlines who already dismissed its Airbus A350-900 proposition has now dismissed its A330-900 considerations. Airbus is in panic mode at this time as the Dominoes begin to tumble around its own market effort for Widebody sales.

First, there was the Hawaiian airline conversion from its A330 NEO order switching for ten 787-9's instead. Now American Airlines is canceling its A330NEO order talks. There are only a few Airbus A330 Big ticket customers as listed below and no longer ay A330-800's booked.

Ordering by American Airlines was dismissed "According to Flight Global" American Airlines A330-900NEO. Some 22 A330 NEO's were in talks along with Boeing's 787-9's competing. The whole point was to replace 22 of the A350-900's it once committed but seems as if later dropped the WB as it would not benefit American Airlines fleet efficiency plans. The tentative A350-900's will be a no go. The A330 NEO was also just "dropped-off" during sales talks, suggesting American Airlines may order 25-30 787-9's when details are worked out satisfactorily with Boeing. 

The airline already has a fleet of 787's (-8's and -9's) in service with seven more 787-9 yet to be delivered from its original orders from the past. It is evident American Airlines is satisfied with 787 performance and it could not improve its fleet with an Airbus' offering of A330 NEO's or A350's.

Airbus Orders A330 NEO orders in question as of today:

• Air AsiaX  66 on Order while talking to Boeing
• Iran Air    28 on Order and watched by US political sanctions.

Total in Jepordy: 94

Remaining Orders booked A330 NEO:

ALC                              27

Arikia Israeli Airlines      2

Avalon                          15

BOC                             2

CIT Group                    15

Delta                           25

Garuda Indonesia         14

TAP Air Portugal           10

Undisclosed                 2

Total:                         112

Grand Total:               208

(American's cancellation does not show in this listing.) 

The questions for A330 NEO's is for Air AsiaX because they are now talking with Boeing about its 787's and Iran is good at being just Iran having no certain airplane future. If and only if Boeing snags away orders from Air AsiaX then Airbus is clinging to its A330 NEO program. “If” Iran then goes off in another direction and Boeing then would not be an option while Airbus struggles to justify the A330 NEO program with its stockholders.

Airbus claims at this time, hundred's of A330 NEO orders are potentially a part of Airbus talks. Sounds like a "never surrender cry" when everything blows ups in its face.

Another thought, perhaps American Airline is supporting Boeing's NMA concept which would eliminate the need of an A330 NEO and the deal-making is down to how many 787-9's and 797's does American want or whether it wants to be a 797 launch customer?