International Aero Engines announced the launch of an upgraded V2500 engine, the V2500 SelectTwo, which will be offered on the A320 family as an "upgrade option" for the V2500 SelectOne. The new variant "is projected to provide [a] 0.58% fuel burn savings compared to the V2500 SelectOne" for a 500 n.m. A320 mission, IAE said. The SelectTwo is comprised of a software upgrade for the electronic engine control as well as a new data entry plug. Entry into service is planned for 2013.

Southwest Aluminum Group signed an aluminum procurement contract with Airbus and EADS for the manufacture and supply of aluminum plate. The China-based supplier’s products will initially supply Airbus’ single-aisle and long-range families.

Russia-based Taimyr Airlines took delivery of the first of four ATR 42-500s ordered in 2010 that also includes options for three more. The carrier, which also operates under the NordStar Airlines brand, will base the -500s in Krasnoyarsk to fly to new regional destinations as well as to destinations such as Novosibirsk, Irkutsk and Ekaterinburg.

International Aero Engines Executive Board of Directors announced the extension of the consortium's collaboration agreement to 2045. IAE, which comprises Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, Japanese Aero Engines Corp. and MTU Aero Engines, produces the V2500 engine for the Airbus A320 family. “We are pleased with the extension of the IAE collaboration agreement to 2045,” said IAE President and CEO Ian Aitken. “After 27 years, we continue to be the industry leader for the Airbus A320 family of aircraft."

Etihad Airways reduced its order for 35 787s by four aircraft and instead exercised options on three 777s to safeguard its expansion, the airline said last week following a report in The Seattle Times.

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said the airline is expecting to receive its first Boeing 787 in January or February 2012. "Over two years' delay," he noted. "But the 787 will be a good aircraft for us."

Boeing selected Leading Edge Aviation Services to apply final paint and customer livery to all North Charleston, S.C.-built 787 Dreamliners, at its Amarillo, Texas facility. The 787s will fly 1,250 m. (1,212 km.) from Boeing’s final assembly and delivery facility in North Charleston to Amarillo, and will then return to South Carolina for final delivery to customers.

Air Canada said it has been notified by Boeing that its first five 787 deliveries, originally slated for 2012 and then pushed back to the second half of 2013, "are now targeted for delivery" during the 2013 fourth quarter and the 2014 first half. "This represents an average delay of between five and seven months from the previous schedule," AC stated, adding that Boeing is still evaluating the schedule for the carrier's remaining 32 787 deliveries.