SINGAPORE AIRLINES IN TALKS WITH AIRBUS TO BUY A3XX JETS

SINGAPORE AIRLINES IN TALKS WITH AIRBUS TO BUY A3XX JETS    Singapore Airlines is in talks with Airbus Industrie about acquiring the huge A3XX jets.
   Airbus Industrie said the Asian carrier could order up to 16 aircraft, including 10 firm orders and six options, for delivery from late 2005.
   Airbus secured it first order for the A3XX in late April, when Emirates ordered up to 10 of the $230-million, 555-seat aircraft. The order is for five firm and five options and could include two freighters.
   Airbus estimates that it will take up to $12 billion to start the A3XX project.
   The A3XX rivals Boeing's jumbo B747-400 aircraft. Airbus says the double-decker A3XX will offer airlines 35 percent more seats and 350 nautical miles more range than the B747-400.
   Airbus hopes to secure as many as 50 initial orders from five airlines. Other targeted carriers include Atlas Air Inc., FedEx Corp., Cathay Pacific Airways, Air France, Malaysian Airline System and Virgin Atlantic Airways.