PARIS (AP) — Two Libyan airlines confirmed orders for 21 Airbus planes, including 10 of its planned mid-range A350s, on Monday, the first day of Libyan leader Col. Moammar Gadhafi's visit to France, the company said.
Libyan Airlines, the nation's flag carrier, confirmed an initial agreement signed in June for 15 Airbus planes, including four A350s, four A330s and seven A320s.
Afriqiyah Airways signed a firm contract for the purchase of six A350s. Airbus did not give values for the contracts, signed in the presence of Gadhafi and French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the French presidential Elysee Palace.
Libyan Airlines Chairman and CEO Tarek Arebi said its new planes would respond to ''a major expansion of Libyan aviation,'' a statement from Airbus said.
A350 deliveries to Afriqiyah will start in 2017, Airbus added.
The deals were initially made public at the Le Bourget air show in June.