Thales will provide a package of avionics and cockpit systems for the A350 XWB including the Integrated Modular Avionics Suite, Interactive Control and Display system and Air Data and inertial reference unit. Contract is expected to generate up to €2 billion ($2.9 billion) in revenue over the first 20 years of in-service life, Thales said. Aircraft are slated to enter service in 2013.

ATR announced record sales of 113 aircraft in 2007 resulting in turnover of $1.1 billion, up 56% from the prior year. It delivered 44 aircraft last year compared to 24 in 2006. "The commercial record of 2007 represents a real milestone in ATR history," CEO Stephane Mayer said. "We are also proud of having almost doubled our deliveries in one year and of having delivered the first turboprop aircraft with inflight entertainment and light emitting diode in the passenger cabin." Since 2005, turboprops have enjoyed a resurgence, with ATR booking orders for a total of 226 new aircraft.

Finncomm Airlines firmed options on five ATR 72-500s. Aircraft will be configured with 68 seats and will be equipped with PW127M engines, EFB and the Elegance Cabin. Deliveries are scheduled for 2009-11. The Finnish carrier ordered eight ATR 42-500s plus options for eight additional aircraft in 2005. In 2006 it converted four firm 42-500s into the larger 72-500 and exercised three 72-500 options. Following this week's deal, valued at more than $90 million, it becomes the largest operator of ATR 500 series aircraft in Europe with four 42-500s and 12 72-500s.

Rolls-Royce announced that LAN Airlines ordered Trent 1000 engines for six 787-9s leased from ILFC. It placed an order for the powerplant two months ago covering 26 Dreamliners ordered directly from Boeing (ATWOnline, Nov. 22, 2007). New contract includes a TotalCare service agreement.

The 2008 orders race is underway as China Airlines, Air Europa, TAM and Jeju Air announced significant aircraft commitments or order confirmations.