Air One said it's in talks with Airbus to order 50 single-aisle A320 planes valued at a total $3.65 billion as part of an expansion Italy's second-largest airline started last year.
``This is part of Air One's growth strategy,'' Paolo Di Prima, the Rome-based carrier's head spokesman, said in a telephone interview today.
Air One has options to buy 50 aircraft from Airbus unit after ordering 40 planes in the past year, Di Prima said. The airline wants to start long-haul routes next year, he added, declining to give details.
The carrier earlier this month presented a non-binding offer to buy most of Italy's government 49.9 percent stake in unprofitable Alitalia, the country's largest airline. The purchase of new planes might strengthen the company's bid, Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore, said today.
One ordered 30 A320s in January 2006 and another 10 planes two months ago.
Justin Dubon, an Airbus spokesman, declined to comment on the talks, saying the Toulouse, France-based planemaker doesn't discuss potential orders from customers.