The 787 delay is having a "quite dramatic" effect on Royal Jordanian's long-haul growth strategy, Chairman and CEO Samer Majali told ATWOnline at this week's IATA AGM in Istanbul. "The [787] delay hits our strategy," he said, noting that the carrier's regional and mid-haul fleet renewal will be finalized by next year.

Boeing reached a deal with Japan Airlines to equip current and future 777s with Class 3 EFBs following a validation trial that began last year. Two 777s have been operating with the EFBs since June 2007 and JAL expects to take delivery of three EFB-equipped -300ERs this year. Retrofit kit installation will begin in April 2009 and completion is slated for late 2011.

Following in the footsteps of United Airlines and American Airlines, Continental Airlines yesterday became the latest US carrier to announce a major downsizing, revealing plans to retire 67 737s, lower 2008 fourth-quarter mainline domestic capacity by 11% and reduce its workforce by 3,000. In a message to employees, Chairman and CEO Larry Kellner and President Jeff Smisek said, "The airline industry is in a crisis. Its business model doesn't work with the current price of fuel and the existing level of capacity in the marketplace. We need to make changes in response."

Romania's Blue Air signed for three 737-900ERs, Boeing announced yesterday, adding to the two 737-800s ordered earlier (ATWOnline, Feb. 6). Yesterday's order is worth $238.5 million at list prices. Blue launched in December 2004 at Bucharest Baneasa and now operates five 737 Classics. It will add two leased 737-800s this year and a third in early 2009.

United Airlines, facing rising fuel costs and a weak US economy, yesterday announced a dramatic downsizing that will see its Ted service discontinued and include the retirement over the next 19 months of 100 aircraft with the aim of reducing mainline capacity by a cumulative 17%-18% for 2008-09.

Emirates SkyCargo carried 1.3 million tonnes of cargo in the fiscal year ended March 31, up 10.9% year-over-year, and boosted revenue 20% to AED6.4 billion ($1.7 billion), comprising 19% of Emirates' total revenue. But Divisional Senior VP-Cargo Ram Menen warned that the current fiscal year "will not be easy" and that cargo operators are entering into a "correction period" that will weed out inefficient players. "All carriers will have to refine their operating practices and airlines operating fuel inefficient aircraft will not survive," he warned at a gathering of SkyCargo employees.

Italy's Air One cemented its commitment to increasing its international profile with a firm order for 12 A350-800s plus 12 options and 12 A330-200s with eight options.

The new union representing US Airways pilots filed suit against a group of fellow pilots originally with America West Airlines charging that they have engaged in harassment, extortion, racketeering and other illegal activities.