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).

Air Berlin phased out its remaining Boeing long-haul aircraft, one 767-300ER and two 757-200ERs, which were operated by Swiss subsidiary Belair. The group now uses 13 A330-200s/300s on its long-haul network. It has 15 787s on firm order. Oman Air added its fourth A330, a -300, to its fleet on April 1.

Edelweiss Air, a Swiss International Air Lines subsidiary, ordered one A330-300 for delivery in March 2011 to replace its single A330-200. The carrier operates three A320s and is evaluating the addition of a fourth. It will launch a weekly Zurich-Calgary-Vancouver service on May 31. Edelweiss transported 703.000 passengers last year, nearly 25% more than in 2008.

Embraer last week announced that it has created the new management position of executive VP-new programs-airline market and appointed Executive VP-Airline Market Mauro Kern to the post, leading to speculation that the manufacturer is eyeing a new commercial aircraft program.