Trans World Airlines Inc. expects within several...

Trans World Airlines Inc. expects within several months to complete plans to lease or buy up to 60 new aircraft worth up to $1.5 billion, according to a Mark Buckstein, TWA senior vice president. Buckstein said TWA’s board approved the plan in principal in July. TWA is currently embroiled in a dispute with its pilots union, which has sued TWA Chairman Carl C. Icahn, charging that he violated agreements with the union by failing to upgrade the airline’s fleet. The union is seeking up to $500 million in damages. TWA’s fleet of 220 planes is among the oldest in the industry.