Flag carrier THY Turkish Airlines said Friday it will exercise the option to buy three Airbus A330 planes, part of its ambitious fleet-expansion plans to gain market share in Europe.

Europe's fourth-biggest airline by passenger numbers will take delivery of the planes in 2012, according to a filing issued to the stock exchange.

Turkish Airlines announced in October 2008 that it would buy up to 105 planes from Airbus and Boeing, worth about USD$6 billion at list prices.

The planes, to be procured between 2010 and 2012, would nearly triple the state-run carrier's fleet and help it grab market share from European peers Lufthansa and Air France, analysts have said.

The order includes options for 30 planes, the Istanbul-based airline said previously.