AWAS delivered a CFM56-5A3-powered A320-200 to Monarch Airlines.

Air France exercised options to purchase four additional GE90-115B-powered 777-300ERs, valued at $920 million at list prices. Deliveries will begin in April 2006. AF currently operates eight 777-300ERs and the new order brings its backlog of 777-300ER deliveries to 12.

Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner made its first flight yesterday. The aircraft, piloted by 777-200LR Project Pilot Suzanna Darcy-Hennemann and 777 Chief Program Pilot Frank Santoni, flew for approximately 3 hr. during which it achieved an altitude of 15,000 ft. (4,572 m.) and an airspeed of 270 kt. (500 kph). US FAA and European JAA certification is expected during the fourth quarter. Two aircraft will be used in the 500-hr. flight test program.

Bombardier is introducing a longer-range version of its CRJ700 through an increase in MTOW and the use of the higher-thrust GE CF34-8C5B1, a variant of which powers the CRJ900. The CRJ700LR will have a range of 2,516 nm (4,048 km.), a 276-nm increase over the CRJ700ER. It also will provide increases in maximum payload and maximum landing weight. The variant will be available in the first quarter of 2006 and Bombardier said existing CRJ700s "can readily be retrofitted" to the new LR standard.

Boeing President and CEO Harry Stonecipher was ousted Sunday after the board of directors became aware that he was carrying on a consensual "personal relationship" with a female Boeing executive. "The board concluded that the facts reflected poorly on Harry's judgment and would impair his ability to lead the company," said Chairman Lew Platt. The resignation "was in no way related to the company's operational performance or financial condition, both of which remain strong," Platt said.