Aircraft orders for both Airbus and Boeing are showing no signs of letting up as each manufacturer closed out May with big weeks.

Bombardier last week formally introduced the Next Generation version of its CRJ700, 900 and 1000 that feature all-new cabins with increased use of composite materials. "The NextGen aircraft will offer advantages in operating costs versus their nearest competitors, which will have up to 15% higher trip cash operating costs," Bombardier Regional Aircraft President Steve Ridolfi said. The Canadian manufacturer said NextGen improvements include fuel burn savings up to 4%, lower maintenance costs and longer intervals on maintenance schedules.

STG Aerospace is offering a wireless system designed to monitor and diagnose onboard emergency light systems for commercial aircraft. The Wireless Emergency Primary Power System eliminates the need for visual inspection of the cabin lighting system with the use of a wireless monitoring unit that enables cabin crew to test the entire emergency light system from a control panel. WEPPS is in the final stages of FAA certification.

THROUGHOUT THE AGE OF FLIGHT,

BADGERS AND RAZORBACK HOGS didn't make the cut. Grizwald the bear, a clever fox, a wisecracking jackrabbit and a quartet of penguins are in, along with a snowy white owl named Doc who is acceptable everywhere but in Mexico where he raises superstitions. These decisions are all part of the business strategy of Frontier Airlines, which markets itself as "A Whole Different Animal" and reflects that sentiment by having every aircraft tail painted with a creature indigenous to the regions served.

Avianca became an Airbus customer for the first time yesterday with an order for 33 A319s/A320s and five A330-200s collectively valued at nearly $3 billion, plus options for 27 A319s/A320s and five A330-200s. AV Chairman German Efromovich said the order signals a "new era" for the Colombian carrier, touting the "unbeatable economics" of the aircraft as well as fleet commonality. Delivery dates and engine choices were not released. Avianca and its SAM subsidiary currently operate five 757-200s, four 767-200s, one 767-300, 15 MD-83s and 10 F50s.

Hamilton Sundstrand announced the delivery of the first APS 5000 APU to Boeing for use on the 787's initial flight tests. The APU is rated at 1,100 shp.

Qatar Airways signed an MOU with Airbus for the purchase of 80 A350 XWBs valued at $16-$18 billion, providing a major boost to an aircraft program that has undergone a significant redesign. The manufacturer said Qatar Airways will launch the aircraft into commercial service in mid-2013. In 2005 the carrier committed to 60 of the original-design A350s. Yesterday's agreement supersedes and expands that accord.