Pinnacle Airlines subsidiary Colgan Airways ordered 15 Q400s valued at approximately $432 million for delivery between August 2010 and April 2011. The order represents conversion of 10 conditional orders and the exercise of five options from an original order placed in 2007. Colgan will operate the aircraft under its existing capacity purchase agreement with Continental Airlines (ATWOnline, Oct. 8, 2008).

Airbus booked 777 net aircraft orders in 2008, topping Boeing's 662 net orders, but like its rival reported a significant drop-off from the previous year, when it recorded 1,341 net orders. The 2008 orders, valued at $100 billion, comprised 472 A320 family aircraft, 163 A350s, 138 A330s/A340s and nine A380s. The net total also includes cancellation of five A310s.

Airbus began construction on the A350 XWB final assembly line in Toulouse yesterday, with President and CEO Tom Enders saying the manufacturer "is making steady progress" on the next-generation aircraft program and is on track "for first delivery in 2013." The 74,000-sq.-m. factory is where the fuselage and wings will be joined, Airbus said, while aircraft testing and cabin equipping will be completed in the nearby A330/A340 facility.

FedEx exercised options on 15 777Fs valued at $3.75 billion, bringing its firm backlog for the type to 30, and took options on an additional 15. The delivery giant originally ordered 15 777Fs plus 15 options in November 2006, when it cancelled an order for 10 A380Fs owing to Airbus production delays on the now-suspended large freighter program (ATWOnline, Nov. 8, 2006).

Rapidly expanding Turkish Airlines will make its final decision on an order for 35 widebody aircraft (25 firm plus 10 options) within the next three months and is looking seriously at the 777.

Esterline CMC Electronics said it will invest C$149.4 million ($124.7 million) in research and development over the next five years to support development of its FronTier cockpit systems technology for business jets, helicopters and air transport aircraft following the Canadian government's decision to support its effort with a C$52.3 million repayable investment over the same period. CMC said "FronTier will help position CMC as a major player in the field of avionics design and integration."

Australia's Regional Express (Rex) continued to phase out its eight Saab 340As with the sale of one aircraft to Argentina's Sol Lineas Aereas. It said it is finalizing the sale of two more to an unidentified European operator. Last year it sold a 340A to Bridges Worldwide Express and converted two others to freighters for its Pel-Air Aviation subsidiary. Rex is adding 25 340Bs to its fleet.

Pratt & Whitney yesterday signed two 10-year contracts with Delta Air Lines to provide engine maintenance, material and aftermarket support. Pratt's Commercial Engines & Global Services unit will cover material replacement and parts repair for more than 80 PW4000s in DL's fleet under an Inventory Logistics Program agreement.