Northwest Airlines President and CEO Doug Steenland testified before a US House of Representatives subcommittee yesterday that US airlines are expected to spend $61.2 billion on jet fuel in 2008, $20 billion more than in 2007, and are projected to incur losses totaling close to $10 billion for the year. "If the current pricing dynamic does not change, our industry will be severely challenged and will continue shrinking," he said. "It is as simple and stark as that. .

Focus Aviation reached agreement with KLM to provide marketing services for the sale of 15 F100s. Manufactured in 1989, aircraft are operated by KLM Cityhopper.

Boeing achieved full power-on for its first 787 two weeks ahead of schedule, a significant milestone as the company seeks to restore a reputation tarnished by a trio of delays to the aircraft's first flight. The power-on process started June 12 and brings electrical power onto the airplane in stages. The complexity of that process is increased by the fact that on the 787 the pneumatic (bleed air) system is replaced totally by electronics (ATWOnline, June 13).

CIT Aerospace delivered a former Ryanair 737-800 to Orenburg Airlines. CIT said it was the first -800 to be delivered to a Russian carrier.

Pratt & Whitney's Geared Turbofan has achieved better-than-expected fuel burn figures, officials claimed at last week's Eco-Aviation conference presented by Air Transport World and Leeham Co. in Washington. The GTF, which has completed 250 hr. of bench testing, has achieved a 15% improvement in fuel burn compared to the initial target of 12% over comparable 737/A320 powerplants. The new engine will commence flight tests next week on Pratt's 747SP before heading to Toulouse for testing on an A340-600 later this summer.

Airbus and Boeing are taking steps to ensure green manufacturing and develop environmentally friendly aircraft dismantling processes while working alongside engine OEMs and airlines to pursue development of sustainable biofuels.

TRIP Linhas Aereas signed an order for five E-175s plus 10 options and 15 purchase rights, Embraer announced. Value of firm orders at list prices is $167.5 million, and the deal could exceed $1 billion if all options and rights are exercised. Delivery will start next year. TRIP will configure the aircraft in one class with 86 seats. The Campinas-based carrier operates 18 aircraft and expects to carry 1 million passengers to 70 destinations this year.

Chinese airlines are showing "a lot of interest" in Bombardier's new CSeries aircraft owing to its greater fuel efficiency, VP-Commercial Aircraft Marketing and Communications Trung Ngo told ATWOnline recently in Beijing. "We have been in discussion with a number of Chinese carriers, including state-owned and private airlines, on the CSeries," Ngo revealed. He claimed it can consume about 20% less fuel than comparable aircraft like the E-195, A318/A319 and 737NG.