<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by msn:
Anyway, no one is paying for options right now, not even on the 345's and 6's from what I can see.
Edit: Your are right: the 340's show 21/18/18, so the new order wasn't in the ODO, but it was still nailed down on the premise of a bigger deal than Airbus now has in hand. I do think that the carriers you mentioned are more than willing to see their planes arrive a bit later than planned, but that's just me. 
[This message has been edited by msn (edited 04-05-2003).]</font>
I think airlines are trying to lock up aircraft prices in option, due to the current low aircraft prices.. The demand is just not there...
Looking at both U2 and FR ordering huge options are showing that airline companies are still getting some money for option prices to look the aircraft prices to the current prices. I do believe option rates may have dropped a bit... But not the level as for firm aircraft.
You're right with regards to airlines who would love to delay deliveries this year. SARS and the WAR and have helped the avaition slump dip even further. The usually stronger Asian carriers are also feeling the effects of SARS, while the Middle Eastern Carriers are seeing drop in pax due to the war in the region... So things are going to be very interesting for the rest of 2003.