CSA Czech Airlines firmed up options on eight A319s, bringing its total firm orders for A320 family aircraft to 20. CSA said it plans to use the A320s to modernize its European fleet.

Honeywell opened the Honeywell Aerospace Mexicali Research & Technology Center containing advanced aerospace system integration laboratories that will be used to develop and test next-generation technologies. The 100,000-sq.-ft. facility, which cost $35 million, employs more than 200 local engineers and technicians and initially will research and develop technologies for next-generation narrowbody aircraft such as the 737 and A320.

Bombardier said a preliminary investigation revealed some corrosion on a part of the landing gear that failed on an SAS Q400 earlier this week. A spokesperson told ATWOnline that the corrosion was evident on the landing gear actuator, which extends and retracts the gear during landing and takeoff. The Canadian manufacturer recommended that all Q400s be grounded after landing gears collapsed on two separate SAS flights on Sept. 9 and Sept. 12 (ATWOnline, Sept.

Bombardier recommended yesterday that Q400s with more than 10,000 cycles be grounded after the landing gear collapsed on two separate flights operated by SAS Scandinavian Airlines this week. The gear is manufactured by Goodrich, which joined Bombardier in calling for the grounding "until an inspection of the landing gear is carried out." Of the 160 Q400s Bombardier has delivered, some 60 have more than 10,000 landing gear cycles, according to the Canadian manufacturer.

CSA Czech Airlines announced the conversion of eight A319 options stemming from its 2004 order (ATWOnline, April 7, 2005) for delivery in 2011-12. CSA, which is replacing its 737s, already has taken delivery of six A320s and two A319s. Four more A319s will arrive in 2008.

Northwest Airlines yesterday retired its final passenger 747-200 from scheduled service. Last flight was Tokyo Narita-Seattle-Minneapolis/St. Paul. The aircraft joined the fleet in 1979. NWA will continue to operate -200s as charter aircraft; it replaced them with A330s. By year end it will operate 21 A330-300s and 11 A330-200s.

Eastern Airways took delivery of a fifth Saab 2000 and will add a sixth next week, supporting expansion of its scheduled route network further into continental Europe. Aircraft also will be used on private charter services.

New Airbus President and CEO Tom Enders yesterday announced his senior management team, keeping most of the executives appointed by predecessor and EADS CEO Louis Gallois. As expected, Fabrice Bregier, who was brought onboard by Gallois in October 2006, will remain as COO and second-ranking executive, reporting directly to Enders. Hans Peter Ring remains CFO and John Leahy will continue in his long-time role as COO-customers.