Lao Airlines will take delivery of the first of two 70-seat ATR 72-500s in the "coming weeks" and the second "later this year," ATR said. Lao currently operates two ATR 72-200s. Lao CEO Somphone Douangdara called the aircraft "the right choice to respond to the demand of regional transportation in Laos and in Southeast Asia." The state-owned carrier flies to 10 Laotian cities as well as Cambodia, China, Thailand and Vietnam.

Focus Aviation announced the sale of 15 F100s to The Evsen Group on behalf of KLM. Evsen plans to use the aircraft for short-haul operations in the Middle East. GECAS announced the delivery of one new A320-200 to Iberworld Airlines.

International Aero Engines announced a V2500 order from Air China covering 22 A320s/A321s for delivery beginning in April 2010. Deal is worth some $700 million including the SelectOne build standard and a long-term aftermarket agreement. CA already operates the V2500 on 12 A319s. IAE also announced the delivery of Shenzhen Airlines' first V2500-powered aircraft in Toulouse, the first of 28 A320s ordered last summer.

Embraer announced the sale of an 84-seat E-175 to Japanese startup Fuji Dream Airlines for delivery next year. The Shizuoka-based carrier took delivery of its two ordered E-170s and expects to launch revenue service next month. FDA parent Suzuyo Group's original order was for two firm 170s plus one option, but the manufacturer said that deal was amended to allow for the purchase of the 175.

Rolls-Royce announced a $1.5 billion order from Gulf Air for Trent 700EP engines that will power 20 A330s. Deliveries are set to start in 2012. Deal includes a TotalCare services agreement and an extension to the TotalCare deal on Trent 700s already in service on 10 A330s. Rolls also signed a five-year extension to the TotalCare services agreement covering Condor Airlines' fleet of 13 RB211-535E4-powered 757s. Initial 10-year deal was set to expire this year; extension is worth some $150 million.

Boeing said the second of six 787s to be used in the flight test program has moved to the flight line to begin fuel testing. ZA002, which already is painted in ANA livery, will focus on systems performance (ATWOnline, May 18).

Pratt & Whitney and Korean Air signed a contract worth approximately $300 million for PW4170 Advantage 70 engines for six new A330s, plus two spares. Pratt also announced a 10-year Engine Management Program agreement with Japan Airlines covering 75 PW4000 and V2500 engines and a three-year parts repair agreement valued at more than $75 million covering JT9Ds and PW4000s. It also announced EcoPower engine wash agreements with JetBlue Airways, Hawaiian Airlines and ArkeFly.

Jetstar A330-200 en route from Osaka Kansai to Gold Coast was forced to divert to Guam last Thursday after smoke was detected, followed by flames flaring from the rearmost cockpit window on the aircraft's right side in the area where the window heater is located. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau launched an investigation. The A330, carrying 203 passengers and crew, left Osaka just before 11 p.m. local time Wednesday. The fire occurred about 3 hr. 50 min. into the flight.