Rolls-Royce expressed confidence this week that the open rotor concept can be viable, asserting that it will "comfortably meet Stage 4 noise requirements."

Boeing booked five 787 orders and had orders for five 767s cancelled during the week ended May 26, according to the manufacturer's Orders and Deliveries website. The customer(s) were not identified. It now has taken 13 gross 787 orders this year, but cancellations have reduced the net to -44 so far (ATWOnline, May 12). Its year-to-date totals across all types now are level--65 gross orders and 65 cancellations for a net of zero.

Lufthansa Systems renewed its contract with XL Airways France covering use of its flight management system database for another three years.

Cargoitalia took delivery of the first of three MD-11SF. freighters formerly operated by Alitalia Cargo and currently undergoing certification. It will enter commercial service on a twice-weekly Milan Malpensa-New York JFK-Toronto-MXP-Abu Dhabi-MXP routing. Second aircraft is scheduled to arrive in July with the third before year end. The original Cargoitalia suspended operations last year but was relaunched under the ownership of ALIS (66.7%) and Intesa SanPaolo (33.3%). It recently purchased the cargo assets of Alitalia.

Republic Airways Holdings reached an agreement with Midwest Airlines to operate two 100-seat E-190ARs with service scheduled to begin in August and September. Currently, Republic operates 12 76-seat E-170s under the Midwest Connect brand. Midwest Chairman, President and CEO Timothy Hoeksema said the new aircraft will enable Midwest to once again offer nonstop service to the West Coast from Milwaukee.