In a major setback to Boeing, the Japan Airlines is expected to award a major order for aircrafts to its European rival, Airbus.

According to people closer to the matter, Toulouse, France-based Airbus might be making inroads into the Japanese market where Boeing has been maintaining an almost monopoly since several decades. The new order from Japan Airlines might be announced to the public soon. The airline said in a statement today that Airbus CEO Fabrice Bregier and Japan Air President Yoshiharu Ueki, but did not provide more details.

The fleet of Japan Air and ANA Holdings are made up of mostly Boeing aircrafts. The move to award an order to Airbus comes after Chicago-based Boeing's 787 Dreamliner first saw delays of about three years and then was grounded for several months across the world due to battery issues that prevented the aircraft from flying safely.

Airbus is holding discussions with ANA and JAL to sell its A350-1000, according to the officials. Japan Air may place an order by September to replace some of its older Boeing 777s while ANA indicated that it is comparing the aircrafts of Airbus and Boeing and will make a decision soon.