British Airways Invites Bids to Replace Aging 747s and Other Long-Haul Aircraft

British Airways PLC is seeking bids from aircraft and engine manufacturers to replace 34 aging long-haul aircraft, and expects to place orders next year.

The company is considering Airbus' A330, A350 and A380 models Boeing Co.'s 787, 777 and 747-8 aircraft, British Airways said Tuesday.

Engine bids were solicited from Engine Alliance LLC, General Electric Co. and Rolls-Royce PLC.

The new aircraft will replace 20 Boeing 747s and 14 Boeing 767s which are around 25 years old.

"For the past four years, we have grown capacity by using our aircraft more efficiently," Chief Executive Willie Walsh said. "In order to continue to grow our long-haul business we now need additional long-haul aircraft."

Boeing made all the 114 planes in the airline's current long-haul fleet, half of them 747s.

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