Spanair will take delivery of its seventh 120-seat 717 this week and its eighth later this month, which it said will enhance service on routes catering to business travelers. Aircraft are powered by Rolls-Royce BRR715A engines.

Aer Lingus Group placed an order for six A330-300Es and six A350 XWBs, with deliveries commencing in 2009 and running though 2014. The carrier also holds the option to purchase a further six A350s for delivery by 2018 as part of an order valued at $2.4 billion at catalog prices. It noted in a stock exchange filing that "substantial discounts off the catalog prices have been negotiated." The transaction is subject to shareholder approval.

Croatia Airlines ordered four 76-seat Q400s with options on two more, Bombardier announced. Firm orders are worth an estimated $105 million at list prices. The turboprops will replace three 48-seat ATR 42s in the airline's fleet, which also includes four A320s and four A319s.

Silverjet signed an LOI to acquire two 767-200ERs from Thomsonfly for delivery next March. Aircraft are powered by CF6-80C2B4Fs. The all-business-class carrier now has five of the type either in use or on the way. It currently operates one aircraft on a daily London Luton-Newark service but said it is considering an additional 30 routes. Its second aircraft is undergoing cabin reconfiguration. A second daily frequency will start in late July. Silverjet flew 3,628 revenue seats in May at 62.6% load factor.

Mesaba Airlines will launch the first NextGen CRJ900 into service Thursday. The aircraft features a newly designed cabin interior and lower operating costs, according to Bombardier (ATWOnline, June 4). A Mesaba flightcrew operated a trial flight yesterday at Washington Dulles. First revenue flight for the Northwest Airlines subsidiary will start in Minneapolis/St.