Bangalore: Airbus is in talks with public sector Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which is making passenger doors for the France-based company's A-320 aircraft, for "further work", an Airbus official said.

"We are discussing with HAL further work they might do for the Airbus aircraft," David Velupillai, Airbus regional press manager, told reporters ahead of the company's participation in "Aero India 2003", Asia's largest air show, beginning in Bangalore on February 5.

Under a $ 50 million deal, HAL has a contract with Airbus to provide 600 sets of the doors, some 350 of which has been delivered till date. HAL also makes parts for the A-320 nose undercarriage.

He said Indian Airlines had decided to acquire 43 new Airbus A320 family aircraft worth $ two billion as part of its modernisation programme to replace the ageing aircraft and provide for growth.

"The airline has chosen A-320. The decision is going through various steps in government, which owns the airlines," Velupillai said, adding that "in the coming days", the company expected a final approval from the government.

Air India was also looking for medium capacity long haul aircraft and short to medium haul aircraft but has not made the choice between Airbus and Boeing, he said.

Saying that India was an important market for Airbus, he said the company predicted that its carriers would acquire some 225 large airliners, worth almost $ 20 billion by 2019 and Airbus expected to win at least half of this market.

PTI