UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch released a Special Bulletin indicating that its investigation into last month's accident involving a British Airways 777-200 at London Heathrow is centered on the fuel pumps and not the engines (ATWOnline, Jan. 25).

EgyptAir converted six Embraer 170 options into firm orders, the manufacturer announced. Aircraft are worth $189 million at list prices and will begin delivery in 2009. They will be configured with 76 seats and fly for EgyptAir Express. The carrier ordered six E-170s plus the six options in September 2006. Meanwhile, Air France subsidiary Regional converted options for one E-170 and one E-190. Aircraft are worth $69 million at list prices and will be delivered in 2009, Embraer said.

Delta Air Lines CEO Richard Anderson told US Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) that DL and Northwest Airlines have not yet reached a merger agreement but that negotiations continue, Reuters reported. Widespread press reports yesterday said various sources close to the talks revealed that the respective carriers' boards would meet today to review progress on negotiations with the pilots and, if an agreement had been reached with the unions, vote on a merger.

Korean Air placed a firm order for three additional A380s, bringing its commitment to the jumbo jet to eight, Airbus announced yesterday. The newly ordered aircraft are scheduled to arrive in 2012-13. KE expects its first A380 in 2010, when it will introduce the plane on routes to the western US. The A380 program now boasts 192 firm orders from 16 customers.

Hamilton Sundstrand will provide the electric power generation system for the forthcoming A350 XWB under a deal with Airbus announced Monday. EPGS includes four 100 kVA, 230-volt variable frequency generators and four generator control units. Estimated program revenue is $1 billion.

El Al said yesterday that it has signed a letter of intent to buy three new 737-800s from an unidentified Spanish airline for $145 million, Reuters reported. It will take delivery in 2009.

Iraqi government said yesterday that it has agreed to purchase 40 new and four used aircraft from Boeing and an additional six units from Bombardier for Iraqi Airways, according to widespread press reports from Baghdad citing statements from Deputy Transport Minister Bangeen Rikani and a government spokesperson. Neither manufacturer confirmed the deal.

Rolls-Royce announced that Singapore Airlines ordered Trent 900s for nine additional A380s along with an accompanying TotalCare services agreement. SIA already had ordered the powerplant for its original 10 aircraft, two of which have entered service. Financial terms were not disclosed.