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EasyJet is on the brink of signing a deal that would treble the

size of its fleet.

A deal with Boeing for 12 new planes is due to be finalised within the

next two weeks.

The deal would bring the size of the company’s European fleet to 18 and

give it the capacity to carry six million passengers a year by the year

2000.

EasyJet’s founder and owner, Stelios Haji-Ioannu, confirmed that subject

to ’last-minute price reductions’ Boeing had set a fair price for the

aircraft.

’We would like to be flying to every country in Europe,’ he said.

However, Haji-Ioannu was unwilling to divulge the price paid for the

aircraft, and details of when his company will receive them are yet to

emerge.

EasyJet recently received a licence to fly 1.3 million passengers a year

- up from 282,000, its previous licence figure.

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