Syria is expecting a delegation from Airbus to arrive in Damascus today as it attempts to strike a deal that would enable Syrianair to buy 50 passenger jets from the aircraft manufacturer, in spite of US sanctions, said a government official.

Abdullah Dardari, the deputy prime minister for economic affairs, told the Financial Times the Syrian government would like a "strategic co-operation agreement" with Airbus. The Arab government hopes to lease six aircraft for Syrian-air, the rundown state-owned carrier, then purchase 14 aircraft that will be delivered between 2010 and 2016.