Bombardier confirmed it is in negotiations with a Turkish startup carrier, Izmir Hava Yollari AS, for a deal valued at $275 million. It would include the purchase of three CRJ900s, two Q400s and five of the proposed CSeries large regional jets. "What has been signed is a proposal or an LOI [letter of intent]," Bombardier spokesperson Burt Cruickshank told ATWOnline Friday. "We won't make a statement until a purchase agreement is signed." If the deal is consummated, the carrier would be the first customer for the new CSeries, which Bombardier has not launched formally as yet.

Pakistan's Airblue ordered eight A320-200s and two A330-200s valued at $800 million. The airline, which started operations in 2004, operates three A320s. It is one of three private carriers in Pakistan. The order is in part a response to additional overseas route allocations from the Pakistan government. The A320s will be used on domestic routes and the A330s on flights to the UK.

Boeing sold another three 747-400s but has not announced the model or operator. The company has said that it has enough orders to keep the 747 line going until the first 747ADV is built but is yet to commit to the model despite an order from Cargolux for 10 (ATWOnline, July 22).

Alenia Aeronautica, a Finmeccanica company, will supply fuselage and tail components for 150 787s under an agreement with Boeing valued at approximately $1.1 billion. In addition, Alenia Aeronautica's structures laboratory near Naples will perform static and fatigue testing on the horizontal stabilizer built at its Foggia facility and carry out research and engineering activities. The company will also run development and production programs at its Taranto-Grottaglie and Foggia plants.

Northwest Airlines chose the Trent 1000 to power its recently ordered 787 fleet comprising 18 firm and 18 option aircraft (ATWOnline, May 6). The deal also includes a long-term TotalCare maintenance agreement. Rolls-Royce valued the order plus options and spares at up to $2 billion at list prices.