AirBridgeCargo Airlines added a fifth 747-400F, a move it said was necessitated by the delay in delivery of its first new 747-8F that was due to join its fleet this year. Boeing now is forecasting delivery of ABC's first -8F, one of five it has on order, in February 2011. "By the end of 2009, we could clearly see that there are some markets in the world, such as Shanghai, that require increased aircraft capacity," ABC Executive President Tatyana Arslanova said.

Hong Kong Airlines finalized its firm order for six A330-200s powered by PW4170 Advantage 70 engines. The carrier signed an MOU with Airbus to purchase the aircraft at the Singapore Airshow (ATWOnline, Feb. 8). It now has a total of 23 A330s on order.

Boeing said yesterday that all test requirements were "successfully met" during the 787's ultimate load wing and fuselage bending test.

Boeing and Airbus, driven by competition from Bombardier's CSeries, will both announce narrowbody re-engining programs this year, Bernstein Research predicted in a newly released report. The New York firm said the decision will center on Pratt & Whitney's PW1000G geared turbofan and CFM International's LEAP-X, both of which promise a 15% fuel burn gain over engines powering today's 737s and A320s. The PW1000G will power the CSeries set to enter service in 2013 and the LEAP-X will power COMAC's C919 slated to enter service in 2016.

Boeing is pressing forward with the 787 flight test program and believes first delivery to ANA by the end of November is feasible. The manufacturer expects to obtain Type Inspection Authorization for the 787 this week after passing flutter and structural wing bending tests. TIA will formally kick off the FAA certification process.

Ameco Beijing redelivered a 767 to Bangladesh GMG Airlines March 20 after providing line maintenance and continuous airworthiness engineering services. Ameco Beijing said this was the first time it provided third-party engineering services not involving airframe maintenance.

AWAS delivered one A320-200 to Strategic Airlines for use on Australian domestic and international routes.

CFM International said the firm CFM56-7B engine order placed by Virgin Blue Group in conjunction with its firm order for 50 737-800s finalized last week is valued at $700 million. The Australian carrier is expected to begin taking delivery of the new aircraft in June 2011 (ATWOnline, April 2) and CFM said all of the engines will be of the CFM56-7BE variant (ATWOnline, March 8).