JPA London has completed a conceptual redesign of American Airlines’ first-class cabin for its new fleet of 10 Boeing 777-300ERs, slated for delivery in 2012 and 2013, under a contract won in early 2011. BOC Aviation has mandated KfW IPEX-Bank as arranger and sole lender to finance one new IAE V2527-A5-powered Airbus A320-200. The aircraft will be operated by Etihad Airways on a 12-year lease.

Air Astana (KC) has begun phasing out its Fokker F50 fleet.

Embraer is unlikely to launch a next-generation, re-engined variant of its E-jet family before next year, but will continue to introduce gradual enhancements to its current models, the company’s president and CEO said Tuesday.

Russia’s Transaero Airlines (UN) has placed a firm order for four 787-8s. The previously announced order, valued at $744 million at list prices, was signed onboard a 787 during a demonstration flight for UN’s executives, employees and special guests, according to Boeing.

Boeing announced its 747-800, which has been in service for approximately six months, has been approved for operations at 200 airports around the world; 14 747-8Fs are operating revenue flights to 63 airports. Its most recent approval was received from London Heathrow. AFI KLM E&M has signed a contract with TAB Airlines to supply a spare lease engine plus an engine shop visit for its DC-10 freighter.

Airbus and Boeing reported first-quarter deliveries were up over the year-ago quarter.

Boeing’s 747-8 has so far exceeded Boeing’s performance expectations. “[It’s] better than we targeted,” Boeing CAS 747-8 support and services Leslie Lauer told ATW at the Aviation Week MRO Americas conference in Dallas.

Airbus has begun the final assembly of the first A350 XWB at its new final assembly line in Toulouse after delivery of the center fuselage Wednesday from St. Nazaire, France.