Kazakhstan's Air Astana is in talks with Boeing to order up to six new 767-300ERs for a 2013-2014 delivery, President Peter Foster told ATW in Almaty. Foster said the aircraft could serve as an interim solution as it awaits the 787, the first of which it now does not expect to receive until 2019 owing to the program's multiple delays (ATW Daily News, Jan. 19).

Garuda Indonesia took delivery of one new Airbus A330-200 from Dublin-based aircraft lessor AWAS. Recaro Aircraft Seating received an order from Malaysia Airlines for Recaro Comfort Line 6510 seats for its Airbus A330-300 fleet. The carrier took delivery of its first aircraft equipped with Recaro seats on April 14. Messier-Bugatti inked a contract with Copa Airlines to supply wheels and carbon brakes for 86 new or retrofit Boeing 737NG aircraft.

Bombardier Aerospace said that Pluna Lineas Aereas Uruguayas signed a follow-on order for three CRJ900 NextGen regional jets, from an order announced last year (ATW Daily News, April 15, 2010). It is valued at approximately $129 million based on list prices. The Montevideo-based airline already operates 10 of the type.

Bombardier Aerospace said that Pluna Lineas Aereas Uruguayas signed a follow-on firm order for three CRJ900 NextGen regional jets, from an order announced last year.

German Leasing Co. took delivery of Air France's fifth A380, which the carrier will operate on the Paris Charles de Gaulle-Montreal route. The leasing company has financed seven Airbus A380s, four Boeing 777s and two A319s, representing a total volume of €1.68 billion ($2.43 billion). Boeing expanded its Landing Gear Overhaul and Exchange Program to cover 777-200LRs, 777Fs and 777-300ERs.

The Thai government gave Thai Airways the right to decide how it acquires aircraft, clearing the way for the carrier to move forward with a plan to buy or lease up to 75 aircraft over a 12-year period.

Armavia took delivery Tuesday of the first production Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SN95007), at Zvartnots International in Yerevan, nearly three years after the jet’s maiden flight. The aircraft was christened “Yuri Gagarin” in memory of the first cosmonaut. The Armenian carrier holds two firm orders plus two options.

The June 20-26 Paris Air Show will likely turn into an "Airbus festival," Bernstein Research predicted. But the New York-based firm warned that while the European manufacturer will rack up aircraft orders, it may not get the price premium it wants.