CFM International announced that Skybus Airlines will be the first US carrier to operate the CFM56-5B Tech Insertion engines, which are onboard an A319 that was delivered to the budget airline. The Tech Insertion program was certified for A320 family aircraft in September.

Qatar Airways will phase out its four A340-600s earlier then scheduled as it takes deliveries of its new 777s, CEO Akbar Al Baker said last week in Seattle as the carrier took its first 777-300ER. He also confirmed that QR will not exercise its six A340-600 options. It took its first -600 in September 2006. Separately, QR will establish a leasing company called Oryx Leasing that will aim to place the carrier's older aircraft. It will start by the middle of next year with six A300-600s and eventually will handle the A340-600s.

Embraer announced the sale of two E-170s plus one purchase right to Suzuyo & Co., which intends to start an airline based at the Mt. Fuji Shizuoka Airport scheduled to open in 2009. Delivery of the aircraft, worth up to $87 million if the purchase right is exercised, is planned to start in the 2009 first quarter.

Qatar Airways took delivery of its first 777-300ER Friday. It has 27 777s on order.

SkyWest Inc. placed a firm order for 18 CRJ700 NextGen aircraft and four CRJ900 NextGens, plus 22 options that can apply to either type, Bombardier announced Friday. SkyWest subsidiaries SkyWest Airlines and Atlantic Southeast Airlines operate the world's largest CRJ fleet of 244 CRJ200s, 102 CRJ700s and 17 CRJ900s. This is its first NextGen order. Firm aircraft are worth $773 million at list prices. The new CRJ700s, configured with 66 seats in three classes, will be operated by SkyWest Airlines for United Express.

SriLankan Airlines completed its IATA Operational Safety Audit.

CHINESE AVIATION ANALYSTS USED to warn that China's air transport industry could not fly on the single engine of Air China. For example, the industry enjoyed a significant financial turnaround in 2006 with a collective net profit of CNY2.38 billion ($311 million) compared with a CNY1.35 billion loss in 2005. But that reversal, as outlined in CAAC's annual report, largely was owing to Air China's success, as the Beijing-based carrier earned CNY3.19 billion.

THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE WHEN you enter the reception area of the Florida headquarters of Spirit Airlines is that there is no receptionist. Stretched across the wall is a banner with an explanation in bold letters: The self-service reception area allows the company to save 2 cents per customer by not staffing the front desk. That's right, 2 cents. Spirit, which bills itself as an ultra-low-fare carrier, does indeed count every penny.