Boeing yesterday finalized and revealed details of the Iraqi government's order for 30 737-800s plus 10 options and said it is in the process of finalizing an order for 10 787s, calling the aircraft purchase agreements "the first step in reestablishing that country's scheduled commercial aviation operations."

Air France took delivery of its 50th 777, a -300ER, Boeing announced. AF now operates 25 -300ERs and 25 -200ERs.

First Sukhoi Superjet 100 has completed ground tests and been cleared for first flight this month, the manufacturer said late last month, according to RIA Novosti. Separately, Sukhoi entered into an agreement with Russia's Vnesheconombank, COFACE of France and SACE of Italy on establishment of an export credit financing scheme for Superjet sales to both Russian and international airlines.

BAE Systems Regional Aircraft will lease two RJ100s to P.T. Riau Airlines of Indonesia under a deal announced last week. Aircraft will replace F50s on busy routes and will be used to support new services to Kuala Lumpur and Penang from points in Riau Province. Delivery is slated for August.

Emirates received up to AED404 million ($109.9 million) from Airbus as compensation for A380 delivery delays, Reuters reported.

Rockwell Collins won deals from Airbus to provide its Communication Global Work package, Avionics Data Network and landing systems technology for the A350 XWB. The communication package includes VHF and HF systems, ARINC 781 satellite capacity, ACR for data link with ATN and FANS-B, audio technology and Gatelink. ADN features RC's AFDX and can link displays and Integrated Modular Avionics-based applications.

Opposition from some quarters to potential moves by US airlines in response to the recent Delta Air Lines/Northwest Airlines merger announcement is fierce, with Virgin Atlantic Airways vowing to fight a British Airways/American Airlines/Continental Airlines transatlantic alliance and United Airlines' pilots expressing strong disapproval of management's reported merger negotiations with US Airways.

Boeing began final assembly on the fifth 787, which is the third flight-test aircraft. It said the first aircraft scheduled to fly "is on track for 'power on' in June." It also said that the first 777 freighter was towed from its Everett factory onto the flight line late Tuesday. Flight testing will begin this summer.