PARIS (AP) -- European planemaker Airbus said Wednesday that Italy's Air One has ordered 24 jets which would be worth $4.68 billion (euro3.03 billion) at list prices, including 12 medium capacity long-range A350s.
The firm order for 12 253-seat A330-200s and the same number of 287-seat A350-800s includes options for another 12 A350s and eight A330s which would add an extra $3.95 billion (euro2.55 billion) to the list price bill.
Airlines typically negotiate steep discounts for larger orders and the actual price of the deal was not disclosed.
Carlo Toto, president of Air One, said in a statement that the order was made ''with a view to achieving major developments in the intercontinental market over the next few years.''
Air One is Italy's second largest airline. It tried to bid for ailing state carrier Alitalia, but the previous government of Prime Minister Romano Prodi preferred Air France-KLM.
In recent days, unions, consumer groups and opposition politicians have been voicing increasing concern about the fate of Alitalia, which has been unclear since Air France-KLM walked away from a bid. Italian Finance Minister Giulio Tremonti said Friday that one or two buyers are interested in failing carrier Alitalia, but he didn't name them.
