Volvo Aero said its low-pressure compressor for the EU's VITAL (Environmentally Friendly Aero Engine) successfully completed testing performed in partnership with the Swedish Defense Research Agency at Sjoland & Thyselius Aerodynamic Research Centre AB in Stockholm. According to Volvo, the LPC is designed to be 15% lighter than current LPCs. Increasing the performance of each stage permitted a reduction in the total number of stages, thus saving weight and length. "The testing. .

KLM cityhopper will deploy a new E-190 on one of its six daily Amsterdam-Brussels flights beginning today as part of a fleet renewal program that includes integration of 10 190s by March 2010 to replace its oldest F100s (ATWOnline, Aug. 6, 2007). The first 190 arrived Nov. 10. The KLM subsidiary also will take over five F70s from Regional in 2009. At the start of 2010, the cityhopper fleet will consist of 10 190s, five newer F100s, 26 F70s and 12 F50s.

US National Transportation Safety Board said it is investigating an incident last month in which a Delta Air Lines 777-200ER experienced an "uncommanded engine rollback in the cruise phase of an intercontinental flight." DL Flight 18 was over Montana en route from Shanghai to Atlanta on Nov. 26 at about 12:30 p.m. MST when the incident occurred to the No. 2 engine.

Turkish Airlines said it extended the deadline of its RFP for 25 widebody and 50 single-aisle aircraft plus 10 widebody and 10 narrowbody options by one month until Jan. 19 "at the request of the manufacturing companies." The planned order was announced two months ago and the tender was scheduled for completion on Dec. 17(ATWOnline, Oct. 15).

ATR said it started ground tests of the ATR 42/72 series 600 "pre-series aircraft," beginning with the electrical systems and the "New Generation Avionics Suite" supplied by Thales Aerospace.

Uzbekistan Airways ordered four more A320s, bringing its total commitment to 10. It signed up for six last summer (ATWOnline, June 29, 2007). Its Airbus fleet currently comprises three A310s.

Qantas took delivery of its second A380 Monday in Toulouse. The aircraft is scheduled to arrive in Sydney today and will enter service on flights to Los Angeles from Melbourne and Sydney on Dec. 22. "This second aircraft will allow us to increase frequency to Los Angeles to as many as six return services each week," QF Executive GM John Borghetti said, adding that the first A380 (ATWOnline, Sept.

LAM Mozambique Airlines acquired a Q400 from an unidentified third party and will take delivery of a second "in the near future," Bombardier announced. LAM currently operates four 737-200s and two Jetstream 41s. CIT Aerospace announced the delivery of a second A320-200 to Etihad Airways. Aircraft is powered by IAE V2527-A5s. CIT will deliver two A330s to EY next year.