U.S.-based Frontier Airlines is reportedly planning to buy 12 Airbus A320 aircraft in a deal worth $1.3 billion, reports AeroSpace-Technology.com.

Frontier Airlines is reportedly planning to buy 12 Airbus A320 family aircraft in a $1.3bn deal. Image source: aerospace-technology.comThe order will include 10 A321 and two A320 airliners, which will replace the carrier's larger variants and phase out its Airbus A319 airliners.

With the new aircraft, Frontier's fleet will increase over the next five years to 101 aircraft. The airline expects an annual growth of around 15% in the coming years.

The narrow-body A321 models are designed to accommodate 230 passengers, 67% more than the A319. The A320 aircraft can accommodate 186 passengers.

Majority-owned by private equity firm Indigo Partners, Frontier expects to receive the A320 and A321 aircraft in 2016 and 2017. The aircraft will be powered by CFM International engines.

In 2014, the airline selected the largest member of the Airbus A320 family when it ordered nine A321ceo aircraft.