Airbus reported an order for 10 A320s on March 31 from Ireland's Aircraft Purchase Fleet, which combined with Korean Air's commitment for six A330-200s brought the manufacturer's order book for the month to 16 aircraft and it's year-to-date total net of cancellations to eight. It also has sold two A380s to KE and four A321s to Turkish Airlines this year but has seen orders for 14 A320 family aircraft cancelled (ATWOnline, March 2).

Boeing received an order for five 737s from an unidentified customer during the week ended March 31, bringing its gross orders for 2009 to 28 aircraft and its net to -4. It has had commitments for 32 787s canceled. The company delivered 121 aircraft in the first quarter, comprising 91 737s, four 747s, three 767s and 23 777s. It delivered 115 in the first three months of 2008.

British Airways announced it will sell 11 of its 15 757s for cargo conversion, with the aircraft leaving the mainline fleet between 2010 and 2012. The four 757s operated by BA's transatlantic OpenSkies subsidiary will remain. The departing aircraft will be replaced by A320 family aircraft. "Replacing the Boeing 757s will give us both environmental and cost benefits," BA Director-Strategy and Business Units Robert Boyle said.

Atlantic Southeast Airlines expected to return to service by late yesterday all 60 CRJ200s grounded for safety inspections, a spokesperson told ATWOnline. ASA, which operates as a Delta Connection carrier, voluntarily pulled the 50-seat aircraft on Tuesday after an internal audit raised questions about whether engine maintenance was in compliance with manufacturer recommendations (ATWOnline, April 2).

First two Sukhoi Superjet 100s have been flown to the MM Gromov Flight Research Institute outside Moscow for flight certification testing (ATWOnline, March 5). "The stability and control testing show good results," Sukhoi Civil Aircraft President Viktor Subbotin said. "The overall test program, including static tests at the Central Aerohydrodynamics Institute, eliminated redesign risks."

Aircraft Leasing and Management arranged the sale of one BAe 146-300 to Star Peru on behalf of Flybe, which has replaced its 146 fleet with E-195s. ALM is remarketing the remainder of the Flybe 146 fleet.

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker told Abu Dhabi's The National yesterday that the carrier will announce an aircraft order at the upcoming Paris Air Show. He also said QR is targeting 20% year-over-year passenger growth to 14.4 million, according to Reuters (ATWOnline, March 13).

Atlantic Southeast Airlines, a SkyWest Inc. subsidiary operating as a Delta Connection partner, grounded 60 CRJ200s late Tuesday for engine safety inspections. ASA officials expected to complete the inspections early today. The grounding of the 50-seat aircraft was voluntary after an internal paperwork audit raised questions about whether maintenance was in compliance with manufacturer recommendations. The CRJ200 is powered by the GE CF34. "We are rolling through the inspections and expect them to be completed by mid-morning [Thursday]," an ASA spokesperson told ATWOnline.