=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This article was sent to you by someone who found it on SFGate. The original article can be found on SFGate.com here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/news/archive/2004/12/14/f= inancial1807EST0360.DTL --------------------------------------------------------------------- Tuesday, December 14, 2004 (AP) Central American airline to purchase 26 Airbus planes (12-14) 15:07 PST SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) -- The Central American airline TACA said Tuesday it plans to purchase another 14 Airbus planes in addition to a previously announced order for 12 others. Clay McConnell, an Airbus spokesman, said the latest order is for four A319s, five A320s and five A321s. Financial terms weren't released, but McConnell said A319s generally list for $60 million each, while A320s sell for $64 million a piece and A321s go for $74 million per plane -- although airlines usually receive a volume discount. A total of 26 Airbus jetliners will be delivered between 2005 and 2009. = In all, TACA will receive five A319s, 16 A320s and five A321s starting in April 2005. Roberto Kriete, TACA chairman, said the purchase would allow TACA to continue having the youngest fleet in the Americas while helping it meet the needs of local markets. "This type of aircraft gives TACA the possibility of serving markets of greater size," he said. Some existing planes would be retired so that TACA would expand to a tot= al of 45 aircraft by the end of 2009, he said. Based in El Salvador, TACA serves 34 cities in 19 countries. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2004 AP