Russia's Transaero Signs Deal for Airbus A380 Jets

Russia's second-largest airline, Transaero, agreed Thursday to buy four Airbus A380 jets in a deal worth $1.7 billion becoming the first ex-Soviet carrier to order the world's biggest passenger jet.

The contract was signed by Transaero's general director Olga Pleshakova and Airbus Executive Vice-President Europe, Christopher Buckley at the annual Saint Petersburg Economic Forum.

"It is a historic moment for Airbus and this is the first contract in Russia and the CIS for A380," Buckley told journalists at the signing, referring to the Commonwealth of Independent States, an alliance of ex-Soviet states.

"We are very confident that the fleet will not stop at four aircraft and we are looking forward to many more A380s to this first in Russia."

Airbus and Transaero signed a preliminary deal on the purchase of the superjumbo jets last October with deliveries expected no earlier than late 2015.

The company said last August it had signed a preliminary agreement with Airbus, which is owned by European group EADS, to buy eight smaller A320neo planes with the option of acquiring four more jets.