SAS said it is not yet able to estimate the potential total financial damage from the grounding of its 27 Q400s, now in its 17th day. The carrier has said it is losing about SEK10-SEK15 million ($1.5-$2.3 million) daily (ATWOnline, Sept. 26). A spokesperson told ATWOnline that SAS is wet-leasing several aircraft from other companies to allow it to operate an "emergency" schedule. "The number of aircraft we lease varies every day," the spokesperson explained.

Making one of the most anticipated long-haul aircraft order announcements in recent years, British Airways yesterday said it will purchase 12 A380s and 24 787s and place options for a further seven A380s and 18 787s.

Quest Mexicana, the Cancun-based startup, signed a lease deal with BAE Systems Regional Aircraft for four BAe 146-200s. Delivery of the aircraft will take place between October and February 2008. They will be configured in an 85-seat, five-abreast format. The airline, part of the Lomas Travel group, aims to operate both charter and scheduled flights between cities in southeast Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America.

Boeing said this week that Latin American airlines will need 1,730 aircraft valued at $120 billion over the next 20 years. The manufacturer projects that air travel within Latin America will grow 6.6% annually during the 20-year period, above projected worldwide average growth of 5%. The regional forecast was presented by Boeing at the Latin America Airfinance Conference in Rio de Janeiro.

Oman Air signed an agreement with Aviation Lease and Finance Co. to lease six 787s for 12 years, with deliveries occurring in 2012, 2014 and 2015, the Arab Air Carriers Organization reported.

Airbus said yesterday it has narrowed the list of potential investors bidding to take stakes in industrial sites and become partners in A350 XWB development/production to five candidates, but emphasized that no "identifiable frontrunners" have emerged. The manufacturer said six of 11 bidders already have been eliminated from consideration, leaving GKN, Latecoere, Spirit AeroSystems, Voith and MT Aerospace as the remaining contenders.

BOC Aviation chose IAE V2500s to power up to 20 A320 family aircraft including 10 firm and 10 options, worth $240 million if all options are realized.

In a major about-face, Airbus confirmed to ATWOnline that it has ditched the aluminum frame for a composite frame on the A350 XWB.