Weighed down by A350 XWB program launch costs, Power8 restructuring charges and the declining value of the dollar compared to the euro, Airbus parent EADS reported a €705 million ($1.03 billion) net loss for the first nine months of 2007, significantly reversed from net income of €867 million in the first three quarters of last year.

International Lease Finance Corp. is talking to Airbus about a 30-ft. stretch of the A380 for entry into service in 10-12 years, ILFC Chairman and CEO Steven Udvar-Hazy told ATWOnline on the sidelines of the ALTA Airline Leaders Forum in Cancun last week. In addition to boosting passenger capacity, the stretch would expand the space available for belly cargo on passenger flights. Cargo capacity on the A380-800 that entered service with Singapore Airlines last month is "dismal," Hazy said, because baggage takes up so much space. He also said that the 787-9 is around 14,000 lb.

Latin American airlines need to acquire 239 new aircraft above and beyond what they currently have on order between 2008 and 2012, or around 48 new aircraft per year, International Lease Finance Corp. Chairman and CEO Steven Udvar-Hazy said yesterday at the ALTA Airline Leaders Forum in Cancun. Nearly two-thirds of the requirement falls in the narrowbody category, with ILFC estimating demand for 88 A320 family jets and 67 737NGs.

Malaysia Airlines signed an MOU with ATR for 10 ATR 72-500s to be delivered in 2009 and 2010 with options for five additional 72-500s. The agreement is valued at $285 million including options. The 72-500s, configured with 68 seats, will be operated by wholly owned subsidiary MASWings. They will be used to expand service in the states of Sabah and Sarawak in East Malaysia. MASWings commenced operations in East Malaysia on Oct. 1 and currently operates four F50s and four Twin Otters. "The new aircraft will enable MASWings to expand its capacity by 150%," CEO Tengku Azmil Zahruddin said.

Cathay Pacific Airways yesterday placed an order for 10 747-8 freighters and seven additional 777-300ERs collectively valued at $5.2 billion.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes said yesterday that VP-Sales Larry Dickenson will retire Dec. 31 and be replaced by Ray Conner, who is currently its Americas sales head. Dickenson, 64 and a 39-year company employee, has led the commercial aircraft sales organization since October 2006 following more than 20 years as the company's Asia/Pacific commercial aircraft sales chief. Conner, 52, has been in his current post since February 2003. Boeing said his replacement will be named soon.

Rolls-Royce yesterday confirmed an order from ILFC for Trent XWB engines to power the 20 A350 XWBs the leasing giant ordered last month (ATWOnline, Oct. 29). The deal is valued at $800 million at list prices and makes ILFC the largest Trent customer, Rolls said, with 61 aircraft in its portfolio and 70 on order.

Rockwell Collins was selected by Airbus to provide the Trimmable Horizontal Stabilizer Actuator for the A350 XWB.