Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd is leaning towards placing an order for around six Airbus A350 freighters as the Hong Kong carrier renews the oldest section of its fleet of dedicated 747 cargo jets, industry sources said.

If confirmed, the selection marks a bounce back for the Airbus wide-body freighter after Cathay earlier this year appeared to favour the competing Boeing 777-8F, before postponing a decision for several months, they said.

Airbus and Boeing had no immediate comment. Cathay was not immediately available for comment outside business hours.

(Reporting by Tim Hepher, Valerie Insinna; Editing by Chris Reese)