Air Mauritius placed an order for three CFM56-5C4/P-powered A340-300Es, with deliveries to begin in the last quarter of 2006. The airline also took two options. The aircraft will be configured with 36 premium-class seats and 264 seats in economy. At present, the carrier's fleet includes five A340-300s and two A319s for its long- and medium-haul routes respectively.

Rush by Indian Airlines to buy aircraft is continuing with Air Sahara announcing that it intends to order 40 airplanes for delivery over the next five years to bring its fleet to 65. They likely will be 777s and 737s. Last week, Air Sahara announced plans to begin daily services between Delhi and London from September/October with two 777-200ERs leased from ILFC for five years.

Pratt & Whitney achieved European Aviation Safety Agency engine validation of its PW6000, which will power the A318. Pratt said the engine is on track to be certified for use on the aircraft in October.

Rockwell Collins sensors, radar and satellite communications were selected by Shenzhen Airlines for its six new A319s/A320s. The agreement calls for an option on 14 additional aircraft with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2006. Rockwell was selected by China Eastern Airlines to provide sensors and radar equipment on 20 new A330s with deliveries beginning next year. Rockwell's GLU-920 Multi-Mode Receiver and WXR-2100 MultiScan Hazard Weather Detection System are included in the avionics package.

Austrian Airlines retired its last MD-83 on June 22, marking an end to this aircraft type that had been in service with the company for 25 years. Austrian operated a total of 20 MD-81s/82s/83s/87s, which flew 900,000 hr., made 575,000 flights and transported 35 million passengers. The last two are going to operators in South and North America. Austrian will suspend its Vienna-Osaka route temporarily in the coming winter season owing to low yields and high airport costs at Osaka Kansai, ATWOnline has learned.