Carpatair is adding three F70s to its fleet. The first 72-seat aircraft came in last month and the remaining two are scheduled to arrive in February and March. The Romanian regional did not say where it acquired the aircraft or whether they were purchased or leased. In March and April the Timisoara-based carrier plans to launch routes operated exclusively with the F70. It also flies F100s and Saab 2000s.

Air New Zealand CEO Rob Fyfe told ATWOnline that the continuing uncertainty of the 787 delivery schedule is a more pressing problem for the airline than the global recession and industry downturn. Fyfe said yesterday that ANZ has had to hold up key expansion plans "because only the 787 is suited to the new routes." It originally was scheduled to take delivery of the first of 16 787s this year but the current schedule now calls for late 2013 with no firm date established. The Dreamliner flew for the first time last month.

Boeing yesterday announced a restructuring of its engineering leadership designed to "ensure that engineering excellence continues to be driven through all our products and services to satisfy our customers and grow our company," Chief Technology Officer and Senior VP-Engineering, Operations & Technology John Tracy said.

Teledyne Controls said that AirAsia X selected its Wireless GroundLink Quick Access Recorder and Flight Data Monitoring Services for 25 new A330s and two A340s currently in use.

Germanwings yesterday said it will increase ASKs by "double-digits" this year and will add four new A319s to its fleet. Lufthansa Group's low-cost subsidiary did not say where it will get the aircraft. By year end it will operate 30 A319s/A320s. It said it will focus on growing business traffic this year with initiatives that might appeal to travelers looking for cheaper tickets and travel solutions. The carrier expects to transport more than 8 million passengers in 2010; it carried 6.3 million in the first 11 months of 2009.