Guardian: taly's Air One orders Airbus planes for $4.8 bln - by Deepa Babington

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Italy's Air One orders Airbus planes for $4.8 bln - by Deepa Babington

Tiny Italian airline Air One has ordered 24 planes from European plane maker Airbus for $4.8 billion as it expands its long-haul flight offerings to the United States and the Far East. The deal is the second major order for Airbus in a week after Gulf Air placed a $4.5 billion order for 35 single aisle and widebody aircraft last week. Air One also has an option to buy another 20 planes for about $3.8 billion.

Air One has been steadily building up its operations while ailing rival Alitalia loses market share and risks bankruptcy due to the continuing strain of high oil prices, tough competition and frequent labour strikes.