United drops some Airbus orders

United Continental Holdings Inc. canceled orders for 12 Airbus single-aisle planes valued at about $1.08 billion that the carrier said are no longer needs. It affects six A319s and six A320s, according to Christen David, a spokeswoman for United. After once targeting the Airbus jets for removal, United said Nov. 19 it was upgrading them with new seats, larger overhead bins and satellite Wi-Fi, deferring $3 billion of capital expense needed for new jets. The orders were canceled in December, David said. (Source: Bloomberg, 01/15/14)