51.   The national carrier earlier also signed a letter of intent to buy aircraft from Boeing.

52.   Without citing sources, the newspaper claimed that China has offered to help finance development, but only if it can buy the aircraft and maybe even the technology.

53.   He had also noted that the US Defense Department had been advised by experts not to buy the aircraft because of technical defects.

54.   Hertrich said it was still unclear whether Italy, too, would buy the aircraft.

55.   However, it could sell its option to buy the aircraft to other airlines, he added.

56.   A move to lease or buy US aircraft would have implications for the EFA project, which involves Britain, Germany, Italy and Spain.

57.   AirAsia director Tik Mustaffa said at the weekend that the second national firm was planning to buy more aircraft.

58.   But Birules refused to be drawn out on the question of whether Germany should pay damages if it does not buy all the aircraft it has ordered.

59.   Italian airline Alitalia agreed to buy six aircraft with options to buy another six, from Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer, the Brazilian company confirmed Thursday.

60.   No decision on whether to buy the aircraft is expected until he has completed his comprehensive spending review.