Italian Prime Minister-elect Silvio Berlusconi yesterday threatened to re-nationalize Alitalia if the European Commission continues to question the €300 million ($469.1 million) bridge loan the outgoing government granted the virtually bankrupt company last week (ATWOnline, April 28). "If they continue whining, we could take a decision in which Alitalia could be bought by the state, by the state railways," Berlusconi was quoted as saying.

Boeing last Friday said it moved the 787 static test airframe from its Everett final assembly facility to its nearby structural test rig. Some assembly remains and will be completed concurrently with test set-up, the manufacturer said. Assembly on the third 787 will begin this week (ATWOnline, April 10).

Singapore Airlines took delivery of its fourth A380 Saturday in Toulouse. It will enter service on daily flights to/from Tokyo Narita on May 20. SIA operates its other A380s to Sydney and London Heathrow and has firm orders for an additional 15 plus six options.

Lufthansa Group released its full first-quarter results Friday, confirming its previously announced €57 million ($90 million) net profit and record €188 million operating result and expressing confidence that it will report a full-year operating result that "matches the record figures achieved last year and intends to record further improvements."

ARINC and ATH Group launched the AirPlan enRoute Service aimed at reducing fuel costs. Technology is based on the Attila arrival management system and employs ACARS communications intelligence. It will be offered to airlines this summer.

Delta Air Lines CEO Richard Anderson and Northwest Airlines President and CEO Doug Steenland promoted the carriers' merger before Congress yesterday, insisting that the combination wouldn't affect competition and is necessary to allow the US industry to compete against large European and Asian airlines.

Panasonic Avionics reached a deal with Boeing for provision of its Cabin Services System on 747-8s featuring advanced integration and communication technology.

Lufthansa Systems will provide Swiss International Air Lines with its Lido eRouteManual electronic navigation charts under a five-year deal announced yesterday. Layout, colors and symbols are identical to the paper-based charts LX has used since 2004.