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Air Arabia Buys 10 Airbus A320 Jetliners

Middle East's biggest budget airline says it will buy 10 more Airbus A320 planes as it prepares to open a new hub in Morocco.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- The Middle East's biggest budget airline says it will buy 10 more Airbus A320 planes as it prepares to open a new hub in Morocco.

Air Arabia's move is part of a broader push by Gulf Arab carriers to expand their fleets and route networks at a time when some airlines elsewhere in the world are contracting.

The airline's latest order follows a deal for 34 A320s it made late last year.

Air Arabia did not say Wednesday how much it will pay for the planes. Airbus lists the A320 at an average price of $76.9 million apiece, although airlines often negotiate discounts for bulk orders.

The Sharjah, UAE-based Air Arabia last week said it will open a second hub in Casablanca, Morocco, early next year.