China Eastern Airlines took delivery of the 2,500th A320 family aircraft in Toulouse yesterday. The airline already operates a fleet of 69 of the A320 family and this year will receive an additional 20. Deliveries of the type have soared from 1,000 to 2,500 in the past six years and the production rate is being increased to 30 a month from the first quarter of 2006. The A320, the first of the four-member family, entered into service in April 1988 and pioneered the fly-by-wire flight control system in commercial aircraft.

Air Algerie added the eighth 737-800 to its fleet this week. It will receive another two in August 2006.

In order to facilitate further its expansion in Brazil and elsewhere in South America, Gol announced that it increased the size of its total order for 737-800s from 63 to 101. The revised deal doubles the airline's firm orders to 60 and increases purchase options to 41. The aircraft included in the firm order are scheduled for delivery from 2006 to 2012 and the purchase options can be exercised between 2007 and 2012.

Malaysia Airlines will lease five 737-800s for India and China operations, according to Bloomberg. The carrier will use the aircraft to open new routes to secondary airports and their selection may be an indication of its choice of a replacement for its 737-400 fleet, which is due by year end.

EVA Air unveiled the first of its 316-seat 777-300ERs, which will begin operations on the London Heathrow-Bangkok-Taipei route from Sept. 15. The aircraft is configured with three new cabins: Premium Laurel, EVA's new business class; Elite Class, its re-launched premium economy product, and an upgraded economy class. It also features a new inflight entertainment system.