AS BOEING STRUGGLES TO GET THE LATEST version of the 747 to first flight, there is more than a touch of deja vu to the situation, recalling as it does events in Seattle 40 years ago this past February when the first 747 took to the air. Across a span of four decades, the company confronts similar issues on the 747-8, as strained engineering resources and delays dog the program again.

IN THE 1950S, UNITED AIRLINES AND MANY other carriers proudly proclaimed in major advertising campaigns that their aircraft were fitted with revolutionary weather radar that would eliminate nasty weather surprises, but last year turbulence-related injuries cost the industry $100 million. According to US FAA,turbulence is the leading cause of injuries to passengers and crew in nonfatal airline events. Between 1981 and 1997 there were 342 reports of turbulence affecting major carriers, resulting in three passenger deaths and 80 serious injuries.

Korean Air board has decided to order an additional six A330s. Two aircraft will be delivered next year, followed by two in 2011 and two in 2013. KE currently operates three A330-200s and 16 A330-300s.

Qatar Airways took delivery of the second of eight 777-200LRs Tuesday.

Bombardier Aerospace confirmed that GoJet Airlines, a St. Louis-based regional operating as United Express, is the customer for six CRJ700 NextGen aircraft plus 10 options ordered in March 2008. The manufacturer said the firm aircraft are worth approximately $207 million at list prices.

The airline industry parked 1,167 aircraft last year "making 2008 the worst year for cutbacks since 2001," according to Ascend. The total number of stored jets is approaching 2,300, representing more than 11% of the global air transport fleet of 20,293, and the number should rise significantly this year as "at least 400 more aircraft are scheduled to be cut during 2009," Ascend's Chris Seymour said.

Cyprus Airways said it will lease two A320s for six years. A spokesperson told Reuters that the deal is with an "Irish company" and that the aircraft will be delivered "by March or April." Several lessors, including AWAS, are headquartered in Ireland.

Air France took delivery of its first 777F last week. AF, which placed the launch order for the new factory-built freighter in May 2005, progressively will replace its five 747-400ERFs and four 747-400BCFs with 777Fs. Based on the 777-200LR platform, the GE90-110B1L-powered 777F has an MTOW of 766,000 lb. (347,450 kg.). Range is 4,880 nm. (9,038 km.) with a full payload of 226,700 lb., according to Boeing. A total of 73 777Fs have been ordered by 12 customers.