FedEx Might Order Airbus Super-Jumbo Jets

FedEx Corp. is likely to order as many as 10 cargo versions of Airbus Industrie’s A380 super-jumbo jet, the first order for the plane in the U.S., a person familiar with the talks said. The order would be worth as much as $2.3 billion, based on the list price. FedEx, the largest overnight-delivery service, will decide in the next few weeks, the person said. Boeing Co. also has been talking to Memphis, Tenn.-based FedEx about a competing plane, a variant of its 747-400 freighter. Toulouse, France-based Airbus last month committed to building the A380, which would be the biggest passenger airliner, after receiving orders for 50 planes. A FedEx contract would be a blow to Boeing, which has failed to secure a customer for proposed new versions of its 747-400 called the 747X and 747X Stretch. FedEx shares closed off 45 cents at $43.81 on the NYSE.