Smiths Aerospace opened a $44 million, 128,000-sq.-ft. turbine engine components facility in West Jefferson, N.C.

Hello, a Swiss charter airline, signed an ACMI contract with Iceland Express and will operate three of the LCC's MD-90s from March 2006 through 2008.

Embraer recorded net income of $110 million in the third quarter compared to $113 million for the third quarter of 2004 on a 6.8% rise in sales to $1 billion from $936.7 million during the same period last year. It delivered a total of 41 jets, including nine ERJ-145s and 26 170s/190s. It delivered 101 aircraft through the first nine months and expects the total to reach 145 by year end. At the end of the quarter the firm order backlog was valued at $1.4 billion.

DBA, formerly Deutsche BA, announced its intent to order up to 40 737-700s and dash 800s for delivery beginning next year. Value of the order including options, based on list price, would be approximately $2.1 billion. The deal includes a mix of firm aircraft plus purchase rights and is subject to a final contract being signed. "We want to grow further. It is our goal to be number one in point-to-point German domestic traffic," Chairman Hans Rudolf Woerhl said in a statement. He added that growth would focus on destinations within 1.5 hr. flight time from Germany.

SpiceJet ordered 10 737-800 Aviation Partners Boeing Blended Winglet shipsets for installation beginning in January. Separately, Aviation Partners Boeing said CEO Mike Marino resigned Nov. 11 "to pursue other interests." The search for a replacement will begin immediately.