June 4 (Reuters) - Chinese airlines are considering ordering up to 300 narrowbody and widebody Airbus SE aircraft as soon as next month when European leaders visit Beijing, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
The order could rise to as many as 500 aircraft, one of the people told Bloomberg.
Reuters first reported in April that China has been in on-off negotiations to place an order for up to 500 Airbus jets.
Industry sources told Reuters that the talks are an extension of discussions over a major order that surfaced In April last year ahead of a visit to France by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
China has frequently signalled large jet orders timed to coincide with state visits, but industry sources caution negotiations frequently go down to the wire and are not guaranteed to result in a deal amid volatility over trade.
However, analysts have said that China has a deficit of aircraft after holding back on major orders for more than five years.
Airbus declined to comment. Reuters couldn't immediately verify the Bloomberg report.
Reporting by Angela Christy and Ananya Palyekar in Bengaluru, Tim Hepher in Paris; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Sonia Cheema
Source: Reuters