Cathay Pacific Airways has commenced work on the passenger-to-freighter conversion of a 747-400 to create the 747-400 Special Freighter. The project was launched last week during a ceremony at the Taikoo Aircraft Engineering Co. Ltd. engineering works in Xiamen, China, when a huge hole was cut in the aircraft's side to provide for the rear cargo door. TAECO will conduct the prototype's conversion work under Boeing's supervision. The project is part of a major expansion plan to boost Cathay Pacific's fleet to 104 aircraft in two years.

The INITIAL phase of the RJ revolution is over. Since the first CRJ200 was handed over to Lufthansa CityLine in 1992, Embraer and Bombardier have combined to deliver more than 1,700 jets in the 37/55-seat class.

Think weight and balance and "safety" is the word that naturally springs to mind. But how about "revenue"? Using an array of new tools and techniques, Regional carriers are trying to boost both through faster and more precise calculations of the critical equation.

Boeing yesterday said it delivered the final 757 to Shanghai Airlines. The aircraft, actually rolled off the production line in Renton on Oct. 28 (ATWOnline, Nov. 1, 2004) but Shanghai had requested an April 2005 delivery so Boeing kept the airplane in storage for six months, a spokesperson told this website.

BMED, formerly British Mediterranean Airways, placed a firm order with Airbus for seven A321s with first delivery scheduled for January 2006. The order is the first the airline has placed directly with Airbus. The BA franchise partner currently operates three A320s and three A321s with a further A320 to be delivered in May. Based at London Heathrow, it serves 15 destinations across the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa that include some of the longest A321 sectors in the world.