Boeing kicked off its 2008 sales campaign with another 747-8I sold for private use plus one 777 for Turkmenistan Airlines. The 747-8I is the sixth sold to Boeing Business Jets.

Comair, a regional subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, will eliminate up to 14 50-seat aircraft from its fleet of 131 regional jets. Delta previously announced it will cut its domestic flights by up to 5%, a reduction that is the equivalent of 10 mainline aircraft and 35 RJs. Delta Connection carriers will have up to 15% fewer scheduled block hr. as the company reduces flying and fuel consumption. At the same time, DL intends to increase international capacity by 15%.

Embraer's 61 fourth-quarter aircraft deliveries boosted its full-year 2007 total to 169, up 30% year-over-year and a company record. The manufacturer said it "sought to adapt its industrial processes to the delivery schedule established with customers. Such actions as hiring new employees, implementing a third shift for some of the production processes and adopting a lean manufacturing concept" were key.

China Eastern Airlines began assessing its options in the aftermath of Tuesday's rejection by minority shareholders of its planned 24% stake sale to Singapore Airlines and parent Temasek, with pressure mounting for it to resolve its ownership situation quickly.

ARINC announced installation of its AviNet Type B business networking service for air berlin under a three-year service contract. Technology features protocol translation and IATA Type B messaging.

AWAS, the Dublin-based lessor, gave Airbus a strong start to the year with an order for 75 A320s plus 25 options. The firm aircraft will bring its Airbus portfolio to 145 units, the manufacturer said. The deal is valued at $6.9 billion at list prices.

AerVenture Ltd., a joint venture among AerCap Holdings, LoadAir and Al Fawares, will lease six new A320-200s to TAP Portugal under eight-year lease agreements. Aircraft will be delivered in 2009 and are part of a 2005 order from Airbus.

Rolls-Royce sold Trent 700s to Thai Airways for its fleet of eight new A330-300s scheduled to begin delivery in 2009. The engines are worth approximately $300 million at list prices, Rolls said. Contract also includes a 10-year TotalCare services agreement.