As ceremonies go, despite being led by a man with a very French name and accent, Airbus president and CEO Fabrice Brégier’s July 2 announcement that his company will build a final assembly factory in Alabama could not have been more American. The red, white and blue was everywhere; balloons and confetti rained down reminiscent of a US political rally, and even the company name was given the Stars and Stripes treatment, to emphasize the “US” in Airbus.

UK charter operator Titan Airways is adding the first Airbus A320 to its fleet May 1.

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) has approved a final commitment of $1.1 billion to finance the export of a fleet of Boeing 737-900ERs.

International Lease Finance Corp. (ILFC) has entered into an agreement with American Airlines to buy and leaseback an additional 15 new Boeing 737-800s and one new 777-300ER. ILFC last year finished delivering 15 737-800s to American as part of a previous sale and leaseback agreement. The 737-800s included in the new deal are scheduled for delivery between May 2013 and December 2014. The 777 will be delivered later this month, ILFC said.

Turkish Airlines has confirmed to ATW that it remains in continuing negotiations with both Boeing and Airbus regarding a potential order for narrowbody aircraft.

Cathay Pacific Airways has ordered three additional Boeing 747-8 freighters, bringing to 13 the total number of 747-8Fs it has ordered...

Korean Air has taken delivery of the first Boeing 777 built at the manufacturer’s increased production rate of 8.3 per month, or 100 aircraft per year. JetBlue Airways has signed a letter of intent with Airbus to acquire 110 ship-sets of retrofit Sharklets for the airline's in-service A320 aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2014.

Aeroflot will take delivery of its first Boeing 737-800 in September. Aviacapital-Service is financing the deal.