Kunpeng Airlines took delivery of the first of five 98-seat E-190s ordered in July (ATWOnline, July 14).

Porter Airlines exercised two Q400 options for delivery next year. Aircraft will be the 15th and 16th in the Toronto City Centre-based regional's fleet. It currently operates six.

TACA took delivery of its first E-190. It has 11 on order with options for an additional 15.

Alaska Airlines' last MD-80 was retired Friday, leaving the carrier with a fleet of 108 737s including 69 737NGs. It has eight more NGs scheduled for delivery this year. AS began a program in 2006 to retire its 26 MD-80s and replace them with 737NGs. It noted that the 737-800, of which it now has 37, burns 850 gal. of fuel per hr. compared to 1,100 by the MD-80. "A common fleet type also will result in lower costs for maintenance, training and flight crew scheduling," it said.

Spanish Public Works Minister Magdalena Alvarez revealed Friday that Spanair considered transferring passengers aboard the MD-82 that crashed Aug. 20 to another aircraft after its first takeoff was aborted before ultimately deciding to clear it for a second takeoff.

Malaysia Airlines subsidiaries MASwings and Firefly each took delivery of a new ATR 72-500 that will replace an F50. It is MASwings' first ATR 72 and Firefly's second.

Luxair Group board approved the purchase of an additional Q400 and said it will decide on the purchase of a fifth Q400 at the end of September. Luxair Luxembourg Airlines will take delivery of its fourth 72-seat Q400 in late 2009. Aircraft will replace an ERJ, keeping the carrier's fleet at 11 units.

EgyptAir is the customer for two 777-300ERs previously listed as unidentified on Boeing's orders and deliveries website, the manufacturer announced yesterday. The aircraft are worth $529 million at list prices and will feature MS's new business class layout, which includes 49 lie-flat seats with 78-in. pitch. Delivery dates were not announced, but the airline is scheduled to take the first of six -300ERs on lease from GECAS in January 2010 (ATWOnline, Dec. 3, 2007).