Etihad Airways yesterday signed a firm contract for the purchase of 25 A350 XWBs, 20 A320s and 10 A380s. Order was announced at the Farnborough Airshow (ATWOnline, July 15).

Grupo Marsans' planned sale of Aerolineas Argentinas and its Austral subsidiary to the Argentine government (ATWOnline, July 18) moved forward after the lower house of the national congress, the Chamber of Deputies, approved the renationalization last week. AR was privatized in 1991 and reportedly is carrying debt of around $900 million. The Chamber of Deputies approved the measure by a 167-79 vote, according to press reports.

B/E Aerospace subsidiary FSI won US FAA STC status for retrofit installation of its Door 3 Overhead Attendant Crew Rest on Continental Airlines' 777-200s. OHAR is 800 lb. lighter than the Lower Lobe Crew Rest it replaces and is expected to generate revenue through additional seat and cargo capacity. Installation will take place in Hong Kong.

NextJet of Sweden subleased three 68-seat ATPs from West Air Sweden, BAE Systems Regional Aircraft announced. West Air will provide maintenance and support. NextJet will use the aircraft, two of which already have been delivered, to link five smaller communities in the north to Stockholm Arlanda beginning Oct. 25. It was awarded a three-year PSO by Swedish authorities. NextJet currently operates B-1900Ds and Saab 340As on scheduled flights.

TUIfly will take delivery of a new 737-800 in October and configure it with 52 business class seats. Aircraft will be used on high-priced leisure operations like around-the-world charters.

Japanese authorities ordered Japan Airlines and ANA to inspect all Q400s after a pilot was forced to abort a flight recently prior to a takeoff from Osaka. Bombardier confirmed that reports indicated a propeller blade on a Pratt & Whitney Canada engine on a JAL Q400 was dented. A spokesperson for the Canadian manufacturer emphasized that the inspection was not a "grounding order" and that the company was working with airline representatives and Japanese authorities. It would not speculate on the cause of the damage until the engine is inspected fully.

Rockwell Collins said Croatia Airlines selected its HGS Head-up Guidance System for the carrier's Q400s plus two option aircraft.

Uzbekistan Airways took delivery of a second IL-114-100.