Boeing delivered 126 commercial aircraft in the second quarter, up 10.5% from the 114 delivered in the three months ended June 30, 2007. Deliveries comprised 100 737NGs (compared to 86 in the year-ago quarter), five 747s (compared to four), three 767s (three) and 18 777s (21). Year-to-date deliveries totaled 241, up 9.5% from 220. Separately, Boeing announced delivery of a 737-800 to Canada's Sunwing Airlines. Aircraft will be operated on lease from Aviation Capital Group. Sunwing will lease a second from ACG next year, at which time its fleet will comprise 15 -800s.

Russia's Irkut Corp. announced plans to develop a new large transport as a successor to the Tu-154, with certification planned for 2015. The MC-21 will be offered in three models seating 150-210 passengers.

Aircraft Solutions announced the sale of two CRJ200LRs to Sky Swallows and two -200LRs to Avmax International Aircraft Leasing.

Rockwell Collins reached agreement with Xiamen Airlines to provide a suite of avionics for 12 737NGs with an option for 25 more. Technology includes WXR-2100 MultiScan Hazard Detection System aimed at reducing pilot workload and enhancing safety. Deliveries are scheduled to begin next year and continue through 2013.

Helvetic Airways, based in Zurich, will stop operating all scheduled flights at the end of October owing to high fuel prices and instead will use its four F100s on ACMI and charter flights. Three of its aircraft already are on wet-lease with Swiss International Air Lines. Helvetic's scheduled routes to Brindisi, Catania, Lamezia Terme, Palermo and Jerez de la Frontera will be closed this fall. It said all 125 employees will remain on staff. It launched operations in 2002.