Precision Air Services took delivery of its first ATR 72-500. The Tanzanian airline ordered five in 2006 and one more in 2007; the remaining five are to be delivered in 2008-10.

Aer Lingus exercised its rights under a 2003 agreement with Airbus to purchase four A320s. While the aircraft are valued at $56.7 million each, the carrier said it had "obtained certain price concessions from Airbus."

Boeing said it "successfully" has completed tests on the 787's all-composite fuselage. The trials were performed on a 787 test section and are part of the manufacturer's certification efforts for the Dreamliner, which have been delayed owing to problems assembling the first aircraft. "The tests. . . couldn't have gone any better," Kevin Davis, 787 fuselage authorized representative and leader of the testing, said.

AirBridgeCargo Airlines, the scheduled services subsidiary of Volga-Dnepr Group, took delivery of its second 747-400ERF. The aircraft is leased from GECAS. ABC took delivery of its first 747-400ERF in November and is scheduled to receive another in April. Volga-Dnepr also has firm orders for five 747-8Fs plus five options.

Bombardier officially opened its new manufacturing facility in Queretaro, Mexico, where it will build components for the Q400 and Challenger 850 business aircraft. The facility, which began manufacturing parts in the second half of 2007, currently employs 900 workers and plans to boost that to 1,200 by year end. It supplies electrical harnesses and structural aircraft components.

Airbus "successfully" conducted the first series of flight tests with an A320 powered for the first time by IAE's new SelectOne engine. The SelectOne is the new build standard of the V2500. Airbus expects certification of the SelectOne engine/airframe combination in time for third-quarter deliveries.

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, parent of Atlas Air and Polar Air Cargo, more than doubled its net income in 2007 to $132.4 million from the $59.8 million earned in the previous year.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines will announce a fleet order by March 15, according to Reuters, which quoted airline MD M.A. Momam. The carrier "badly need[s] aircraft," Moman said, and it will choose between an offer from Boeing for four 777-200s and four 787s for delivery in the 2013-17 timeframe and four Airbus aircraft comprising A320s, A321s and A330s for delivery in an unspecified timeframe. It cut some international routes last year (ATWOnline, Aug. 29).