As an important step in the reinforcement of China's "jumbo aircraft" program, principal manufacturers AVIC I and AVIC II are accelerating preparations for their integration, which is expected to take place "very soon," according to AVIC II General Legal Counsel Li Shentian. "As far as I am concerned, we do have an initial plan for integration of AVIC I and AVIC II. But it's not the time to formally disclose the specific details now as it still needs to be approved by Beijing." Li said.

TAM's Paraguay subsidiary, formerly known as TAM Mercosur and now called TAM Airlines, said it has consolidated its fleet and is operating three dual-class A320s outfitted with 144 economy and 12 business class seats on all flights. It has discontinued use of 108-seat F100s.

Jet Airways took delivery of its seventh A330-200 configured in two classes with 220 seats. Aircraft is part of an order for 15 placed between 2005 and 2007.

China's "jumbo aircraft" final assembly line may be based at Shanghai Pudong, an industry insider who requested anonymity told ATWOnline last week. "But it has to go through the evaluation by Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China, which will make the final decision," the insider said. Launched officially in Shanghai two weeks ago, CACC mainly is responsible for manufacturing the large commercial aircraft (ATWOnline, May 13).

Airbus parent EADS CEO Louis Gallois said the manufacturer's Power8 restructuring program will be enhanced with further cuts to be unveiled by the end of summer. Speaking to Germany's Welt am Sonntag, he conceded that the €2.1 billion ($3.3 billion) annual savings targeted for 2010 and beyond will have to be increased beginning in 2011 or 2012. The further cuts are necessary largely because of the declining value of the US dollar compared to the euro, he explained. "We have a competitor in Boeing that does 90% of its production in dollars," he said.

Air France KLM Group reported a consolidated net profit of €748 million ($1.17 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, a 16% decline from the €891 million earned in the prior year as it booked a €530 million provision to cover possible penalties arising from the ongoing antitrust probe into airline cargo activities.

Boeing unveiled its first 777 freighter yesterday at its Everett facility just north of Seattle. The aircraft, which has attracted 78 firm orders from 11 customers, is capable of carrying 113 metric tons over 4,885 n.mi. The manufacturer plans to complete eight 777Fs this year, with two involved in flight tests. That pair is destined for launch customer Air France. The 2.5-month certification program will involve 350 flight test hr. and 700 ground test hr.

Grand Xinhua Express this week became the first Chinese mainland carrier to introduce the E-190. Launched in March 2007, GXE is a regional subsidiary of HNA Group, which placed an order for 100 regional aircraft with Embraer in August 2006 (ATWOnline, April 2, 2007). The E-190 will seat 106 in a single-class layout. Since last September, Tianjin-based GXE has taken seven ERJ-145s and is expected to introduce the remaining aircraft, including 49 E-190s, over the next five years.