Sichuan Airlines recently took delivery of four A319s and expects to introduce an A320 on July 4. The carrier noted that it will add nine more Airbus aircraft to its fleet this year, including six A319s. Fleet expansion will allow it to launch flights from Chengdu to Shangri-La in Yunnan Province, followed by services to neighboring Asian countries in the next 2-3 years. It currently operates 36 aircraft and is planning to expand its fleet to 100 aircraft and reach CNY10 billion ($1.31 billion) in revenue within 3-5 years.

AVIC I Commercial Aircraft Co. may become the first Chinese domestic aviation industrial enterprise to list on an overseas market, having initiated a foreign private placement that will be followed by an IPO, MD Lin Zuoming announced. According to Shanghai Securities Gazette, AVIC I has planned to list ACAC for some time and currently is in negotiation with international investment banks and foreign aircraft manufacturers regarding an overseas private placement.

Rolls-Royce said Singapore Airlines placed a Trent XWB engine order worth $800 million at list prices, plus a 12-year TotalCare services agreement, covering the 20 A350-900 XWBs SIA ordered in Paris (ATWOnline, June 25). Deliveries are scheduled for 2013-15.

Hartwell said it will provide the hold-open rods and rate control device for GE CF34-10As destined for use aboard the ARJ-21.

ASC of Germany registered with ICAO as a supplier of communications recording solutions. ICAO's Technical Cooperation Program evaluates solutions for aviation security and use by airports in national and international operations. ASC said its "registered equipment meets requirements to record, archive and play back air traffic communications in compliance with ICAO's Standards and Recommended Practices."

In a word, Bombardier has declared that the next 20 years will remain "positive" for the aviation industry, reiterating at the Paris Air Show that it foresees deliveries of 11,200 aircraft valued at $393 billion forecast in the 20/149-seat market.

ATR and Malaysia Airlines signed a contract for 10 ATR 72-500s plus options for 10. The deal is valued at $183 million. The aircraft will be used to expand MAS subsidiary FireFly and to establish hubs in Penang, Subang, Yohoar Bahaurau and Kota Kinabalu. They gradually will replace F50s. Deliveries begin next year. The deal also marks the sale of ATR's 900th aircraft.

Air Caraibes selected PW4000-100s to power two new A330-300s (ATWOnline, July 20, 2006) in a deal valued at more than $75 million.