Indonesia's second largest airline is to buy 15 of China's Xinzhou 60 aircraft, the biggest export order of the short and medium-range, 50-seater passenger aircraft to date.

China Aviation Industry Corporation I (CVIC I), manufacturer of the aircraft, has agreed the deal with Merpati Nusantora Airlines of Indonesia, sources with CVIC I said on Tuesday.

Under the contract, the first aircraft should be delivered in September and the rest by the end of 2007, said Hu Wenming, deputy general manager of CVIC I.

The first overseas order for the Xinzhou 60 came when Zimbabwe bought three of the aircraft last November, all of which were delivered by the end of last year. The company is currently processing overseas orders for 17 Xinzhou 60s.

(Xinhua News Agency June 14, 2006)