SkyWest Airlines took delivery of two CRJ900s, the first of 17 firm orders that will be operated for Delta Air Lines. Currently, SkyWest, which also operates in partnership with United Airlines, has a fleet of 324 50- and 70-seat CRJs. "This aircraft will allow us to reach further into new markets, giving Delta the flexibility and competitive cost aircraft they need in their Salt Lake hub," SkyWest President and CEO Ron Weber said. Addition of the 86-seat CRJ900 makes the airline an operator of all three Bombardier regional jet types.

Tassili Airlines of Algeria signed a contract valued at $103 million for four Q400s. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in third-quarter 2007. The carrier is a subsidiary of Sonatrach State Energy Group, which will use the aircraft to transport workers to oilfields.

Pratt & Whitney said last week that it secured nearly $1.5 billion in new business for its Commercial Engines unit at the Farnborough Airshow earlier this month.

Boeing said design enhancements that increase the short-field performance of the 737NG earned US FAA certification this week after a four-month test program. The improvements allow carriers to fly increased payload at airports with runways shorter than 5,000 ft. and include a two-position tail skid that reduces approach speeds, sealed leading-edge slats for lift and increased spoiler deflection on the ground. The features are standard on the dash 900ER and optional on the dash 600, dash 700 and dash 800. Gol is the launch customer for the short-field performance package.

Airbus parent EADS yesterday reported a €527 million ($663.9 million) second-quarter net profit, down 9% from €582 million in the year-ago quarter, on revenues of €9.9 billion, a 10% rise over last year. It conceded that "operational issues" leading to A380 delivery delays, the A350 redesign and the resignations of top executives at both EADS and Airbus made the second quarter a difficult one.