Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Scott Carson insisted yesterday that the 787 program is regaining its footing and first flight by the end of the second quarter remains realistic. The supply chain "is sorting itself out in a hurry," Carson said at a New York investors conference, available via webcast. "We think we've told you the truth and that we will fly in June. I would caution that 'June' could mean the first week of July or the third week of June. Weather could have an effect."

US Dept. of Transportation released its final Air Travel Consumer Report for 2007 and said that, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the 20 US carriers recording ontime performance reported a 73.4% ontime arrival rate, down 2 points from 2006. In addition, mishandled baggage reports increased 4.5% to 7.03 per 1,000 passengers while consumer complaints soared 58.2%. In December, airlines reported a 64.3% ontime arrival rate, down from 70.8% in the year-ago month. Cancellations of scheduled domestic departures rose to 3.5% from 3% in December 2006.

ATR and Lonrho Air signed an MOU for the purchase of two ATR 72-500s. The deal follows an initial order for eight aircraft announced last month (ATWOnline, Jan. 14). All 10 -500s will be deployed by Fly540, a Nairobi-based airline belonging to the pan-African investing conglomerate and will be configured with 66 seats, including 12 in first class, and equipped with PW127M engines, ATR's Elegance Cabin and IFE.

Armavia will be the first non-Russian carrier to take delivery of the Superjet 100, Transport Minister Igor Levitin said yesterday, according to press reports from Yerevan. Aeroflot will be the first airline to fly the new regional jet (ATWOnline, Sept. 12, 2007). Armavia signed a $50 million contract for two aircraft and will take delivery this year, Levitin said.

Boeing will decide in the next couple of months whether to ramp up 737NG production, Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Scott Carson said. The narrowbodies were built at a monthly rate of 27.5 in 2007. Carson, speaking yesterday at an investors conference, said he soon will review a company analysis on 737 production in recent months to assess both Boeing's own production capabilities and market demand. "It feels like there might be. .

GKN Aerospace announced delivery of the first blended winglet for 737-300/-500 aircraft ahead of schedule. In April, GKN finalized a multiyear agreement with Aviation Partners Boeing covering the supply of 200 737-300/-500 blended winglet sets as well as the design and production of 300 sets of 11-in. winglets for the 767-300ER.

Iridium Satellite said Avianca Airlines selected Avionica's Iridium-based satLINK Communications Module for its 14 757s and 767s. Technology offers voice and data capabilities to complement radio cockpit communications.

Atlantic Airlines signed long-term lease agreements with BAE Systems Regional Aircraft for an additional six ATP freighters, which will bring the UK cargo carrier's fleet of the type to 11. The aircraft will be converted at by Romaero in Bucharest, with delivery of all six by the third quarter.