Air Berlin announced an agreement with GE Capital Aviation Services for the financing of 12 new aircraft, comprising five Airbus A320s, three A321s and four Boeing 737-800s, all equipped with CFM engines. This sale-and-leaseback transaction, worth $1 billion at list prices, is covering deliveries due in the first three quarters of 2012, according to the carrier.

Embraer said it signed an MOU with ABC Financial Leasing Co., a subsidiary of Agricultural Bank of China, covering up to $1.5 billion in aircraft financing and leasing support for Embraer aircraft sales in China and other markets.

Boeing confirmed that El Al Israel Airlines completed a contract for four 737-900ERs plus options (ATW Daily News, Feb. 15). The order is valued at approximately $343.2 million at current list prices, said Boeing.

Boeing CFO and Corporate President James Bell said "a number of factors" will go into determining whether the manufacturer launches an all-new aircraft this year to replace the 737NG, and cautioned that no decision has been made with all options—including a re-engining—remaining "open."

Southwest Airlines is "anxious to have some answers this year" regarding a narrowbody replacement, Chairman, President and CEO Gary Kelly said Tuesday at the JP Morgan Aviation, Transportation and Defense Conference in New York, available via webcast.

Bombardier said the first systems for its CSeries aircraft are being developed and tested by suppliers in advance of installation at its "Complete Integrated Aircraft Systems Test Area" in Mirabel, where the company plans to "extensively test" all systems on a "virtual aircraft."

Embraer and Alitalia finalized an agreement for 15 E-175s and five E-190s through a lease structure to be arranged by third parties, the companies announced on Monday.