Airbus SAS has won a preliminary order from the Russian airline OAO Transaero for eight A330-200 planes, worth about US$1.2 billion, as the country's airline industry seeks to modernize its fleet.

Transaero signed the deal on Friday in Paris, where Russian President Vladimir Putin was meeting with French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss cooperation in energy, aerospace and transport, Bloomberg reported.

"The purchase will allow Transaero to begin the program of overhauling its fleet of long-range airplanes on average two years ahead of other Russian airlines," the St. Petersburg, Russia-based carrier said in a statement.

Closely held Transaero, which is planning to sell shares in an initial public offering next year, is buying the aircraft as it tries to expand and meet growing demand for domestic and international travel.

Airbus, the world's biggest plane maker, will deliver the new wide-body A330-200s to Transaero over three years beginning 2009. The two companies will also discuss the purchase of 10 single-aisle A320s, the statement said.

The airline did not put a price tag on the deal. At list prices, the Airbus purchase is worth US$1.2 billion. A firm order has not been signed.

Russia wants to increase its stake in European Aeronautic, Defence & Space Co, the parent company of Airbus, which in turn wants to sell more airplanes to Russia.

High oil prices have helped the Russian economy grow for eight straight years, allowing people to spend more on goods and services such as travel. Russian airlines flew 14.8 million passengers in the first six months of this year, 9.2 percent more than a year earlier.

Transaero flew 1.4 million passengers in the first eight months of this year, up 38 percent from a year earlier. It operates a fleet of 20 Boeing Co airplanes, among them six 747s, seven 767s and seven 737s.

The A330 will become the base model for its future fleet of long-range airplanes, Transaero said.