The company is looking to benefit from accelerating domestic economic growth and a subsequent pick-up in air travel.

Turkish Airlines did not reveal details of what it will pay, but press agencies estimate that the deal may be worth as much as $4bn (�2.2bn).

It still has to talk with lenders about financing the purchase but said it was confident of getting the cash.

Under the agreement, Turkish Airlines will buy 36 planes from Toulouse-based manufacturer Airbus and 15 from its US rival Boeing.

With the new planes, the company said that it could double the annual number of passengers it carries to 20 million within three years.

It also is forecasting that total annual sales will jump to $2.5bn from $1.5bn during the same period.

According to Cem Marti, an analyst at Ata Investment, the expansion also may help with government plans to sell off part of its 98% stake in the airline.