ACG Air Cargo Germany took delivery of its first 747-400SF Friday. The privately held carrier is based at Frankfurt Hahn and plans to use the leased aircraft for charter operations. A second aircraft should follow this spring. First flights will operate to the Middle East, Far East, Russia and Turkey, ACG said.

Airbus confirmed Korean Air's order for six A330-200s (ATWOnline, Feb. 27), which it said is the first commitment for the new 238-tonne increased takeoff weight version with a 7,300-nm. range. Aircraft will feature seating in three classes and brings KE's total A330 commitment to 16 -300s and nine -200s. KE Chairman and CEO Yang Ho Cho said the order "is part of our ongoing expansion plan and will enable us to open up new long-haul routes. .

Rolls-Royce signed a contract with HNA Group for provision of Trent 700EPs to power Hong Kong Airlines' fleet of 20 new A330s. Contract is valued at $1.2 billion at list prices and includes a long-term TotalCare services agreement. First A330 is scheduled for delivery in 2010. HNA already operates Trent-powered A330-200s and Trent 500-powered A340-600s.

HAVING CUT most costs as deeply as they can, airlines are looking to regain profitability on the other end, by boosting revenues. United Airlines, for example, has estimated that baggage fees and other add-on charges for meals and seat selection will generate $700 million in additional revenue in 2009.

HE LONG-EXPECTED SLOWDOWN IN orders for large transport aircraft finally occurred last year as record fuel prices in the first half followed by the credit collapse and recession reduced the appetite for new lift. Boeing and Airbus received net orders for 1,445 jets, the lowest figure since 2004. In 2007, the two booked orders for 2,754 on a net basis.

IT'S BEEN A REMARKABLE RIDE AT AIRTRAN Airways this first decade of the new millennium. While the network carriers downsized and reorganized following 9/11, the Orlando-based LCC made money and won over fliers, in the process racking up impressive increases in capacity. Consider the 2005-07 period: Available seat-miles rose 28.3% in 2005, 23.7% in 2006 and 19.4% in 2007. This kind of growth begets inherent economies as fixed costs are spread over an ever-widening base.

AS BOEING STRUGGLES TO GET THE LATEST version of the 747 to first flight, there is more than a touch of deja vu to the situation, recalling as it does events in Seattle 40 years ago this past February when the first 747 took to the air. Across a span of four decades, the company confronts similar issues on the 747-8, as strained engineering resources and delays dog the program again.

IN THE 1950S, UNITED AIRLINES AND MANY other carriers proudly proclaimed in major advertising campaigns that their aircraft were fitted with revolutionary weather radar that would eliminate nasty weather surprises, but last year turbulence-related injuries cost the industry $100 million. According to US FAA,turbulence is the leading cause of injuries to passengers and crew in nonfatal airline events. Between 1981 and 1997 there were 342 reports of turbulence affecting major carriers, resulting in three passenger deaths and 80 serious injuries.