China Aviation Industry Corp. Group, the result of the merger of AVIC I and AVIC II, launched formally last week, VP Tan Ruisong told reporters, with registered capital of CNY64 billion ($9.36 billion).

Virgin Atlantic Airways is discussing the acquisition of 12 aircraft with Airbus, Boeing and lessors to plug the gap in its fleet caused by delays to the 787, a VS spokesperson told The Independent. It has 15 787-9s on order and now is not expecting delivery until 2013. Separately, VS promoted GM-Continuing Airworthiness Steve Griffiths to director-engineering. He replaces Jeff Livings, who now is at Gulf Air.

Spanish travel and tourism company Grupo Marsans and Uzbekistan Airways firmed aircraft orders last Friday, the former a significant 61-plane commitment, demonstrating some confidence in future growth despite the industry downturn. Marsans signed a contract for four A380s, 10 A350-900s, five A330-200s, five A321s, 25 A320s and 12 A319s, firming an MOU reached 13 months ago (ATWOnline, Oct. 12, 2007), Airbus announced.

Embraer moved to clarify remarks made earlier this week by CFO Antonio Luiz Pizarro Manso that it is "studying the development of a larger plane" and could potentially form a "partnership" with another manufacturer to build the aircraft. Subsequently, Embraer issued a statement saying, "At the present time it is not seeking to associate with any other aircraft manufacturer in the world, neither does it have a project for developing large airplanes." Separately, it announced that the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau certified the E-170, which will be operated by Japan Airlines.

International Aero Engines won a $700 million deal from Sichuan Airlines for V2500 SelectOne engines to power 18 A320s slated for delivery in 2009-12. Contract also designates IAE as Sichuan's preferred engine supplier for future A320 family acquisitions. Sichuan launched the V2500 in China in 1995 and the engine has been selected for more than 180 additional A320s placed on firm order in East Asia, representing more than half the market share in China. The SelectOne build standard entered service last month with IndiGo (ATWOnline, Nov.

Air China Cargo will add 747-400BCFs to its fleet, Boeing announced. Former CA passenger aircraft will undergo conversion at Taikoo Aircraft Engineering in Xiamen. CA Cargo currently operates three factory-built 747-400Fs, two leased -400Fs and three 747-200Fs. The -400BCF has positions for 30 pallets on the main deck. Conversion and delivery dates were not announced.

Rockwell Collins will provide Saudi Arabian Airlines with communication, navigation and surveillance avionics for 50 A320s under a deal announced yesterday. Aircraft deliveries are scheduled to begin next year and continue through 2013.

China received a boost to its aircraft manufacturing ambitions yesterday as GECAS announced an order for five firm and 20 option ARJ21-700s. The aircraft will be powered by GE's CF34-10A and are scheduled to begin delivering to the lessor in 2013. GECAS is the first Western customer to order the 90-seater, which now has sold 206 units. Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China Chairman Zhang Qingwei said the commitment also marks the largest so far. It is worth up to approximately $800 million if all options are filled.