No Decision Yet On Delta Single-aisle Order

Delta Air Lines has not decided which planes to acquire to renew its fleet of single-aisle jets, chief financial officer Paul Jacobson said, as manufacturers vie for a deal.

Delta spokesman Michael Thomas reiterated in a phone interview that no decision had been made, after the Wall Street Journal reported that the airline was in the final stages of a deal to acquire up to 125 Bombardier CSeries aircraft.

A final agreement between Delta and Bombardier for 75 firm orders and options for 50 more of its 110-130 seat CSeries is expected at the end of April when the carrier's board meets to review the proposed deal, the Journal said, citing three sources familiar with the matter.

A Bombardier spokeswoman declined to comment.

Bombardier earlier this year lost out to Boeing for orders from United Airlines.

Delta's Jacobson said that he hoped to provide an update in May on the company's aircraft spending. He declined to discuss media speculation about Delta's potential fleet purchases.

Delta plans to retire about 115 older MD-88 aircraft and phase out smaller, less-efficient jets that it contracts regional airlines to fly, Jacobson said.

Delta may refurbish older plane parts as an alternative to buying new planes, Jacobson said.

Delta was in talks with code-share partner Gol about acquiring planes that the Brazilian airline might sell, although it had yet to make any decisions, incoming chief executive Ed Bastian said.