China Southern Airlines (1055), the mainland's largest carrier in terms of fleet size, plans to purchase 12 new passenger and freight aircraft in a deal worth nearly 1 billion US dollars, The Standard reported, citing a market source. Aircraft ordered from Boeing are due for delivery to the Hong Kong- listed carrier after the 2008 Beijing Games, said the paper. These new purchases will increase to more than 60 the number of aircraft it has bought this year. This marks a record year for purchases in China Southern's drive to bolster its fleet substantially by 2010. The Guangzhou-based airline had earlier announced intention to buy more than 30 aircraft this year, boosting its fleet to at least 300 airplanes from the present 268. It signed an order for 50 new Airbus A320 aircraft in July.