Delta Air Lines said it plans to install Aviation Partners Boeing blended winglets on 38 737NGs, 10 757-200s and 15 767-300ERs, with options to outfit the remainder. It said it expects to realize a combined 3.5% improvement in fuel consumption and a 5% increase in range as a result.

Northwest Airlines confirmed to ATWOnline at the Paris Air Show that it has been in serious discussions with Bombardier for more than two years to become the launch customer for the CSeries aircraft. NWA VP-Finance and Fleet Planning Dan McDonald said the company is "looking at this formally as an evaluation program at Northwest." The airline could order up to 60 of the 110/130-seat CSeries, which would replace DC-9-30/-40/-50 aircraft. "Internally, we want to be in a position at the end of the year where we have a specific plan for a launch," McDonald said.

TAM converted purchase rights for four 777-300ERs into firm orders. It announced the initial order for four firm aircraft and four purchase rights last fall (ATWOnline, Nov. 2, 2006). TAM said its share of the international market among Brazilian carriers last month was 72.4% and it intends to grow "by increasing flights to countries where it already operates in Latin America, the US and Europe as well as launching other potential destinations to attract leisure and business passengers."

TAP Portugal is negotiating with Airbus regarding its order for 15 A350s, President and CEO Fernando Pinto told ATWOnline at the Paris Air Show. The Portuguese carrier was one of the first to commit to the aircraft when it placed an order for 10 plus five options in November 2005 (ATWOnline, Nov. 22, 2005). Deliveries were scheduled to begin in 2013. "The 'old' version worked for us," Pinto revealed. "The XWB is a very different aircraft. We have to review if it fits in our fleet.

Southern Air announced that it completed the purchase of its 9th and 10th 747-200F from Martinair and Atlas Air respectively for use on its wet-lease and charter network. Acquisitions were internally financed, the Connecticut-based carrier said, with additional capacity to be added later this year.

Aerolineas Argentinas is taking delivery of the second of seven 737-500s this month. Remaining aircraft will arrive in July, September, October (two) and November. The carrier said it also will take an A310 and A340 next month, a second A310 in August and a second A340 "later this year."

Rolls-Royce reached a 10-year TotalCare services contract with Thai Airways covering the Trent 500s on 10 A340s.

TAME of Ecuador converted two E-190 options. The airline operates two E-170s and a single E-190. The new aircraft will be delivered by year end. "This decision is based on the success achieved by operating this type of airplane, which was first acquired in 2006, that has boosted passenger demand," TAME President Fernando Martinez de la Vega said. Separately, the manufacturer said it is expanding its partnership with CAE to include initial and recurrent pilot training on both the E-170 and E-190 as well as on the Lineage 1000.