China Eastern Airlines applied to the Chinese government to be allocated 40 of the 110 A320 family aircraft Beijing recently agreed to purchase from Airbus and is contemplating ordering a similar number of 737s. It also plans to give Singapore Airlines executives significant management roles following next month's expected closing of SIA's and parent Temasek's 24% stake purchase, according to Chairman Li Fenghua.

Asiana Airlines will reach "a final decision soon" on fleet expansion, a spokesperson confirmed to ATWOnline. The airline is considering 787s, 747-8s, A350 XWBs and A380s. The order could be for as many as 20 long-haul aircraft. It is unclear if it will be mixed or will focus on one type.

Austrian Airlines Group CEO Alfred Oetsch told ATWOnline at last week's Star Alliance meeting in Beijing that the carrier is scouring the global aircraft market in an attempt to add two A320s to its fleet by 2009. The aircraft, if acquired, will be outfitted with a new premium business class cabin for flights to the Middle East and Central Asia. As far as interest in any of the Q400s being sold by SAS Group (see story above), Oetsch said, "It would make sense to replace some of the smaller Dash 8-300s with Q400s, but we are not under pressure and haven't planned a fleet renewal."

AWAS Friday announced an order for 31 firm 737NGs plus 19 purchase rights, raising to 39 the number of aircraft the lessor has on order with Boeing. The order is worth $2.3 billion at list prices. President and CEO Franklin Pray called the deal "an appropriate way for AWAS to finish off what has been a very exciting and redefining year for the company . . .This time a year ago AWAS would not have been in a position to place an order of this magnitude." Based in Dublin, it currently owns and manages 315 aircraft.

The grounding and disposal of its 27 Q400s continues to be a major issue at SAS Group, which is faced with choosing a replacement while pursuing compensation from Bombardier and deciding what to do with the employees charged with operating the turboprops, CEO Mats Jansson said during last week's Star Alliance meeting in Beijing.

Boeing said Friday that it is "set to begin full production" of 777 freighters, noting that its engineers "have completed more than 90% of the design work for the new cargo airplane." Assembly of the first 777F will start at its Everett plant "in early 2008," the manufacturer said. "Suppliers already have begun production of parts and major components for Boeing's newest freighter," it said in a statement. "The first 777 freighter will be delivered to launch customer Air France in the fourth quarter of 2008."

United Airlines remains focused on its product and on improving the customer experience rather than investing in new aircraft because it sees its fleet as "relatively young," Chairman and CEO Glenn Tilton told ATWOnline during the Star Alliance meeting in Beijing. He said the 104-strong widebody fleet is not the first priority for replacement. He said he sees the 777-200LR as an excellent aircraft for UA and he also will have a look at the 747-800. Regarding its 767s, UA is evaluating the installation of blended winglets.

GE Commercial Aviation Services yesterday announced that it has ordered 53 737-800s and two 777-300ERs collectively valued at $4.5 billion. The massive order includes an exercise of existing options and was listed last week by Boeing as placed by an unidentified customer. "This additional order with Boeing will allow GECAS to help our customers around the world benefit from. . .leading-edge operational efficiency," President and CEO Henry Hubschman said.