Air Canada nears 787 Dreamliners deal with Boeing -Bloomberg News

FILE PHOTO: Boeing Co's logo is seen above the front doors of its largest jetliner factory in Everett

(Reuters) -Air Canada is closing in on the purchase of up to 20 787 Dreamliners from Boeing Co to renew and expand its long-haul fleet, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Shares of Boeing were up 3.6% at $208.13 in afternoon trade.

Airlines are looking to shore up their wide-body fleets amid a rebound in demand for long-haul flying ahead of a busy summer travel season.

The Canadian carrier has neared an agreement to order between 15 and 20 of the twin-aisle aircraft, according to the report.

An Air Canada spokesman said the airline has not made any decisions yet.

Boeing declined to comment.

(Reporting by Priyamvada C in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri and Leslie Adler)