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United Asks Boeing, Airbus To Vie For Potentially Huge Jet Order.

The  Wall Street Journal (6/4, A1, Carey, subscription required) reports in a front page story, "United Airlines has asked Boeing Co. and Airbus to propose dueling bids for up to 150 new airliners -- the latest example of major companies exploiting the recession to bargain-hunt." It's a notable move "amid falling travel demand and a tight lending environment -- on top of UAL's recent heavy losses and poor credit rating." United has "taken pride in its lack of aircraft orders in recent years, even as U.S. rivals started reopening their checkbooks. By ordering now, in the downturn, it hopes to be able to start taking delivery of the planes in a few years, when the economy is better."