TAAG Angola Airlines grounded its fleet of three Boeing 777-200ERs Dec. 24 following two engine incidents within 17 days. “DT decided to suspend all flights for its 777-200ER fleet for the sake of caution and international security," a DT spokesman said. The carrier confirmed it canceled its Luanda-Dubai-Beijing service.

Russia's Interstate Aviation Committee has determined that the explosion that caused a fire aboard a Kogalymavia Airlines Tu-154B-2 as it taxied for takeoff Jan. 1 at Surgut did not occur in any of the aircraft's three Kuznetsov NK-8-2U engines, Associated Press reported, citing Russian media.

Bombardier Aerospace announced that Utah-based SkyWest Airlines ordered four CRJ700 NextGens. The aircraft will be flown by SkyWest under the Delta Connection banner in a dual-class configuration with 65 seats. Based on the list price of the type, the contract is valued at approximately $148 million.

Airbus and Boeing rang in the New Year with aircraft orders from easyJet and CIT Aerospace, respectively. EasyJet confirmed it reached an agreement with Airbus to exercise options covering 15 A320 aircraft valued at $1.1 billion at list prices for delivery between 2012 and 2014 and to convert an existing order for 20 A319s into the larger A320 model.

(Corrected Version) Transaero Airlines is planning to purchase four more Boeing 777s that are operated by Singapore Airlines and come off lease in 2011 and is increasing its commitment from nine to 12 747-400s, a spokesperson confirmed to ATW.

Boeing planned to resume 787 flight testing late Thursday for the first time since a Nov. 9 inflight fire forced the grounding of the test fleet.

Bombardier Aerospace confirmed Wednesday that US FAA awarded aircraft type certification approval to the 100-seat CRJ1000 NextGen on Dec. 17. US approval follows type certification by Transport Canada and EASA (ATW Daily News, Nov. 11). The first two CRJ1000NGs have been delivered to launch customers Air Nostrum and Brit Air, Bombardier said. Air Nostrum has firm orders for 35 while Brit Air has firm orders for 14.

Air New Zealand is examining “a host” of fleet options, including the Boeing 777-200LR, to mitigate the expected further delay in the 787 program owing to the inflight fire sparked by a power board short circuit during a test flight last month.