China Southern and subsidiary Xiamen Airlines signed up for 45 737s consisting of 12 737-700s and 33 737-800s. Deliveries will run from 2006 to 2008 and 15 of the dash 800s will go to Xiamen. In a statement to Shanghai Security News, the airlines said the aircraft will lift China Southern's capacity by 15%.

LOT Polish Airlines converted four Embraer 170 options from its original contract to four firm orders for 175s. Deliveries of the 82-passenger aircraft are scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2006. LOT was the first carrier in Europe to operate the Embraer 170, which went into service in March 2004, and it recently took delivery of its 10th. It also flies 14 ERJ-145s. It retains seven options for 170s that could be converted to 175s, 190s or 195s.

Singapore Airlines watered down suggestions that the lapsing of options it held for five more A340-500s is an indication it will switch to the 777-200LR for its long-haul operations, currently comprising Newark and Los Angeles.

Despite the fact that Airbus's current plan for the A350 is for a larger airplane than the 787, GE plans to use the same basic core/fan GEnx powerplant on both aircraft, said Tom Brisken, GEnx GM for GE Transportation. The GEnx-72A is planned to produce 72,000 lb. of thrust for the A350, at the high end of the 55,000-72,000-lb. range expected for the 787 family. While the GEnx currently is seen to have thrust growth capability to 75,000 lb., that estimate may move upward after the first examples are run next March, Brisken said.

Boeing and Japan Airlines finalized previously announced orders for 30 787s and 30 737-800s, which together are valued at $5.3 billion at list prices. JAL in December selected the 787 to replace its 767s and A300-600s and in February chose the 737NG to replace its fleet of 68 short-haul aircraft, which currently comprises 737-400s, MD-81s, MD-90s and MD-87s (ATWOnline, Feb. 7).