Low-Cost Aircraft Leasing finally has announced its order for six 787s. The order was placed in May and listed on Boeing's website, but no customer was identified. The deal is valued at approximately $780 million and deliveries will begin in September 2009, according to the manufacturer. The first leasing company to commit to the 787, LCAL is planning to order another nine and will base its portfolio around the type. They will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000s, although the company also is discussing the GEnx with General Electric.

Boeing's big weekend in Dubai was boosted by reports that the Chinese government will buy 70 737s as part of an effort to mitigate its expected $200 billion trade surplus with the US. The $4 billion deal reportedly is the largest in Chinese aviation history. No formal announcement was made, but US National Security Council Senior Director-Asian Affairs Mike Green confirmed the order to reporters traveling in China with President George Bush, saying, "It's a very important thing and I think it's a testament to how our approach to China is yielding real results."

TAP Portugal will acquire 10 A350s and seven A330-200s to modernize and reinforce its long-haul fleet, Airbus announced at the Dubai Air Show, noting the decision brings the number of sales for the A350 to 143 from 10 customers. TAP, an all-Airbus operator, will add the new A330-200s starting from 2007 in response to increased demand for its destinations in South America, Africa and North America. A350 deliveries will begin in 2013. Both types will be fitted with a two-class layout and the A330-200s will accommodate 268 passengers. "This order. .

Boeing may have received some unexpected help from Emirates in its bid to sell 777-200LRs to Qantas. Emirates President Tim Clark told ATWOnline he thinks that if Qantas orders the type, it will "make a great success" of its proposed premium-class Sydney-London nonstop operation; "I am sure they will fill it every day." Emirates ordered 10 777-200LRs Monday to open routes such as Dubai-Houston and Dubai-Rio de Janeiro.

A340-600 high gross weight version made its first flight Nov. 18, initiating a six-month certification program for the Rolls-Royce Trent 500-powered aircraft prior to delivery to first customer Qatar Airways in summer 2006. Airbus said the 380-ton jet will have a range of up to 7,900 nm. (14,600 km.), approximately 250 nm. farther than the standard A340-600 with a payload of 380 passengers in a three-class configuration.