Kam Air Executive VP Timor Shahab told ATW that the Afghani carrier is evaluating the renewal of its medium-haul fleet and will purchase “three A319s or A320s in early 2011.” He noted that next year the carrier plans to add one 767-300ER to its long-haul fleet. Currently, KMF operates one MD-82, one MD-83, one 767-200, two DC-8-63Fs, one Ilyushin 76 and a fleet of 23 Russian-built helicopters. It has a staff of 360.

Russian Technologies signed a firm order Friday for 50 737NGs valued at $3.7 billion at list prices plus 35 options. The state-owned company plans to lease the aircraft to Aeroflot, according to multiple reports.

Boeing has been forced to temporarily ground a 787 flight test aircraft after one of its Rolls-Royce Trent 1000s experienced an engine surge during flight testing. The engine has been removed and a new one will be installed. The incident occurred last Friday at Roswell, N.M. A replacement engine arrived early this week and is being installed.

Cathay Pacific Airways has firmed up its previously announced commitment for 30 A350s (ATW Daily News, Aug. 5). The purchase was finalized in Hong Kong Thursday by CX CEO Tony Tyler and Airbus COO-Customers John Leahy. Cathay will use the A350s on routes to Europe as it replaces its A340 fleet and grows its 777-300ER fleet, which is dedicated to longer-range US routes.

Boeing said Thursday its 737NG production rate will increase to 38 per month in the second quarter of 2013, up from 31.5 currently and a planned increase to 35 per month in early 2012.

Air France announced it has completed retrofitting 31 of its 37 A320 family aircraft with new seats that were jointly designed by AF and Recaro to offer an additional 2 to 3 in. of legroom (pitch remains at 32-in. depending on the aircraft) and a 15-degree recline. The seat is 40% lighter compared to the older seat, representing an average of 750 kg. per aircraft, which the airline said enables it to reduce fuel consumption by 1,700 tonnes per year and CO2 emissions by 5,200 tonnes annually.

Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Co. said its Superjet 100 has "successfully completed the full scope of certification on-ground strength testing." It noted that all of the SSJ100's main components "were extensively tested to study the airframe structure behavior. The parts have been exposed to different loads up to 150% more than the normal operating conditions and all aircraft components performed at the expected level."