Virgin Blue in talks for 30-50 Boeing planes-paper

SYDNEY, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Australian low-cost airline Virgin Blue (VBA.AX) is in talks with U.S. plane-maker Boeing (BA.N) to acquire between 30 and 50 single-aisle aircraft, The Age newspaper said on Thursday, quoting Virgin's chief executive. The daily quoted Brett Godfrey as telling an aviation gathering on Wednesday that Virgin Blue aimed to replace a large portion of its 65-strong 737 domestic fleet from 2011 onwards. Many of its existing planes are leased, The Age added.
"Now is the best time to do a deal," Godfrey was quoted as saying.
"We are in the market because the market is right and we don't want to miss the opportunity."
A Virgin Blue spokeswoman could not be immediately reached by phone for comment on the report. Boeing declined to comment, referring all questions to Virgin Blue. (Reporting by Mark Bendeich, Denny Thomas in Sydney and William Rigby in Seattle; Editing by Michael Urquhart)