SalamAir is close to placing an order for two Airbus SE A321neo jets as it pushes ahead with expansion plans, according to people familiar with the matter.

The deal for the long-range A321LR planes, worth more than US$250mn at list prices, could be signed at the Dubai Airshow this week, said one of the people, who asked not to be named.

A spokesman for SalamAir, said that a plane purchase is ‘under process but has not yet been finalised’.

SalamAir plans to increase its fleet of seven Airbus A320 jets to 11 planes, eventually reaching 20 over the next five years, CEO Mohamed Ahmed said last month, adding that buying more aircraft from the European manufacturer would make sense.

The LR version of the A321neo would allow SalamAir to extend the spread of its operations as it targets a network of 60 destinations.