Fiji's Air Pacific converted three 787-9 options into firm orders for delivery in 2016 and 2017. The new aircraft add to the five 787-9s the airline ordered in 2006 that are scheduled to arrive in 2011-12 (ATWOnline, April 27, 2006). Air Pacific also added three purchase rights to its commitment, Chairman Nalin Patel said in a statement. Those aircraft will be available after 2019. The GEnx-powered 787-9s will replace the airline's two 747-400s and one 767-300ER.

Boeing is expected to announce an additional delay to the 787 program at a news conference scheduled for today, an industry source confirmed to ATWOnline, commenting, "I'd be surprised if it wasn't delayed at least three months [to June]." Boeing's stock price dropped nearly 5% late yesterday following reports of the delay posted on the websites of The Wall Street Journal and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. The manufacturer declined to comment on the matter to this website.

Two months after declaring at the Dubai Air Show that "shrinking the airline was the wrong way to go" and that Gulf Air would embark on a major fleet renewal, the carrier this weekend announced its plan to order up to 24 787s and revealed that it is negotiating with Airbus for eight A320s.

El Al will invest $50 million in the purchase of a 14-year-old 747-400 currently leased from Wells Fargo Bank by Singapore Airlines, according to an El Al spokesperson cited by Reuters. SIA will return the aircraft this year and El Al will take delivery before year end.

Singapore Airlines took delivery of its second A380 Friday, but it was news concerning a mishap with its first aircraft that dominated the headlines.

Airbus parent EADS CEO Louis Gallois said there will be only "a small difference" between the European aircraft manufacturer's 2007 orders and those of rival Boeing.

ATR signed an MOU with Lonrho Air for the purchase of eight ATR 72-500s in a deal valued at more than $150 million. Aircraft will be configured with 66 seats (12 in first class) and will be operated by Fly540, a Nairobi-based airline belonging to the Lonrho investment conglomerate. The PW127M-powered planes are scheduled for delivery this year and into 2009. The deal includes a comprehensive support and spares package.

Rolls-Royce said Friday it intends to reduce its managerial, professional and clerical staff by 2,300 positions as part of its "continuing program aimed at improving efficiency and competitiveness." The engine-maker said the reductions "focus on overhead and support functions" and that it will "continue to recruit graduates, apprentices and those required directly to deliver growth." It will seek reductions in the UK through voluntary means but said the initiative will extend to the US, Germany and Nordic nations. Rolls employs 39,500 in 50 countries, including 23,300 in the UK.