Allegiant Air is set to acquire six Boeing 757-200 aircraft from a European operator.

The twin-engine short-to-medium-range jetliner with a seating capacity of 228 is no longer in production.

The 757-200s meet the extended twin-engine operations (ETOPS) requirements for long over-water flights.

The carrier plans to spend between $75m and $90m before 2012 acquiring and preparing the aircraft to expand its leisure flights to Hawaii.

Allegiant president and CFO Andrew C Levy said that although the 757 was a new aircraft type for the company, the programme was consistent with its existing business model.

The first two 757s will enter into service in the fourth quarter of 2010, followed by two more in the first half of 2011 and the final two in the first half of 2012.