Singapore Airlines selected the Boeing 777-200 as the aircraft type to comprise the fleet of its new long-haul, low-cost subsidiary airline scheduled to launch next year

Boeing has conceded that its experience with new technology and supply chain problems on the 787 put a damper on its ability to assure customers of a timely delivery for the all-new 737 replacement it had been pushing (ATW Daily News, May 25).

Kenya Airways signed a letter of intent with GECAS for the lease of two new Boeing 777-300ERs as part of its long-term expansion plan, Group MD Titus Naikuni revealed to ATW on the sidelines of the Connectivity in Africa conference organized by Embraer in Nairobi.

American Airlines made one of the largest aircraft order announcements in commercial aviation history Wednesday, signing up for 130 Airbus A320 family aircraft, 130 re-engined A320neos, 100 CFM56-7B-powered Boeing 737NGs and also committing to order 100 of a new variant 737 with CFM Leap-X engines. Boeing and Airbus will help finance the aircraft, AA said.

Boeing's decision to move forward with an apparent 737NG re-engining—after many months of reluctance by its top executives—is not hard to understand, say analysts who cite, among other drivers, the increasing "pressure" felt by the manufacturer from rival Airbus's success with the re-engined A320neo.

American Airlines announced one of the largest aircraft orders in commercial aviation history Wednesday, signing up for 130 Airbus A320 family aircraft, 130 re-engined A320neos, 100 CFM56-7B-powered 737NGs and also committing to order 100 of a new variant 737 with CFM Leap-X engines. Boeing and Airbus will help finance the aircraft, AA said.

AirBaltic announced it will retire its Fokker 50 fleet this winter season to speed up its fleet modernization process. The Fokker 50s originally were scheduled to operate until 2013. Last year, the carrier introduced Bombardier Q400s to its fleet.

Qantas will fast-track modifications of Rolls-Royce RB211 engines powering its Boeing 747-400 fleet to stem failures caused by cracked high-pressure compressor blades, of which the airline has suffered three this year and two late last year.