SunExpress, the Antalya-based joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, ordered six 737-800s worth $460 million at list prices, Boeing announced yesterday. It currently operates 16 737NGs and three 757s. The manufacturer did not provide a delivery schedule. Meanwhile, Groupe Sonatrach subsidiary Tassili Airlines, based in Algiers, decided to order four 737-800s and three E-190s as part of a plan to add nine aircraft to its fleet. It also plans to order two 70-seat aircraft. Neither Boeing nor Embraer confirmed the orders.

Boeing said yesterday that it has reached agreement to purchase Vought Aircraft Industries' facility in North Charleston, S.C., that builds the 787's aft fuselage sections. It will pay Vought $580 million for the plant and relieve the company of its obligations to repay advances previously made by Boeing, which will take over all of the plant's assets and inventory and assume full control and operation of the site.

Yemenia Yemen Airways yesterday threatened to "reconsider" its order for 10 A350-800s valued at $2 billion because it believes Airbus has been unsupportive following last week's A310-300 crash in the Indian Ocean that killed 152.

Rolls-Royce announced a $470 million Trent 700EP order from Turkish Airlines. Engines will power A330s scheduled to begin delivering in 2010.

French BEA said signals emanating from the flight data and voice recorders onboard the Yemenia Yemen Airways A310-300 that crashed in the Indian Ocean were detected Sunday. The accident near the Comoros capital of Moroni killed 152 of the 153 people onboard (ATWOnline, July 3). Meanwhile, Yemenia said it is suspending its Comoros service indefinitely, according to press reports.