Airbus, a week after the program received formal go-ahead, announced that Eurofly signed a letter of intent for three A350-800s for delivery from 2013 (ATWOnline, Oct. 7). The Italian leisure airline also signed up to lease two A330-200s powered by PW4000s starting in late 2006. Including the Eurofly deal, Airbus now has 143 commitments for the A350 and expects to hit 200 by year end.

ATR announced an order from Air Tahiti for an ATR 72-500 scheduled for delivery in June 2008. The airline currently operates 10 ATRs and holds orders for five more. Air Tahiti officials said the new aircraft will handle the additional traffic generated from resorts being developed on Bora Bora. ATR also said that Spain's Binter Canarias ordered a new ATR 72-500, which is set for delivery in mid-2006. It currently operates a fleet of 13 ATRs.

Bombardier revealed in Gothenburg that Royal Jordanian Airlines will introduce at month's end its first previously owned Q400 turboprop, the first to be operated in the Middle East. The aircraft, which will be used to launch the new Royal Jordanian xpress brand, will be joined shortly by a second. Royal Jordanian xpress will take the place of the former regional brand Royal Wings to denote an upgraded service.

Airservices Australia and European Aeronautical Group signed a dealership agreement on Oct. 6 giving AA the rights to market and sell EAG's Navdata products throughout Australasia and the Far East.

Airbus said Air New Zealand became the first airline to seek certification for its A320s to carry out approach procedures using required navigation performance standards. ANZ is working with Airbus and Seattle-based Naverus to gain a special CAA approval to operate its A320s using RNP rather than visual approaches below existing VOR/DME minima down to 270 ft. AGL at Queenstown. At present, aircraft inbound for Queenstown cannot descend below 3,000 ft. (900 m.) unless visual conditions prevail.