Boeing said three large 787 composite fuselage sections, one forward and two aft, arrived Friday at its Everett plant, where final assembly of the Dreamliner will take place. The all-composite forward section, 21 ft. in diameter and 42 ft. long, was manufactured by Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita. Its landing gear is installed. The two aft composite sections were manufactured and joined by Vought Aircraft Industries in Charleston, S.C. One section is 23 ft. long and 19 ft. in diameter while the other is 15 ft. long and 14 ft. in diameter. The sections were delivered via the Dreamlifter.

Swiss International Air Lines added the fifth new A320 to its fleet since autumn 2006 and completed its Airbus narrowbody fleet expansion. It now operates a total fleet of 74.

Jet Airways CEO Wolfgang Prock Schauer told ATWOnline that the Indian carrier has ordered three more 777-300ERs. "We hold options for ten 777-300ERs. We just transformed three [options] into firm orders," he said. No delivery details were given. Jet is taking delivery of the 10 -300ERs ordered in 2005 through the end of next year. Ten A330-300s also will join the fleet during the same period.

Airbus completed painting on Singapore Airlines' first A380 last week in Hamburg. Painting took 21 days. Delivery of the aircraft is scheduled for October.

American Airlines plans to maintain a low-to-negative growth strategy for the foreseeable future even as it accelerates deliveries of 737-800s to replace its MD-80 fleet (ATWOnline, March 29). "It's very much about replacement, not growth," VP-Corporate Development and Treasury Beverly Goulet said yesterday at the Bear Stearns 2007 Global Transportation Conference, available via webcast.

Emirates is focused on simplification and fuel efficiency as it enters the final lap of what will be a major fleet expansion program taking it to 2020. On the shopping list are more 777s, A350-900s/-1000s, 787s and 747-8Is. President Tim Clark told ATWOnline prior to his trip to Seattle this weekend that the airline is "focused on fuel efficiency" even if it means a slight drop in capability.

Flybe signed a deal with Bombardier for 15 Q400s valued at $394 million, with options for a further 15. The UK regional, which recently acquired BA Connect from British Airways (ATWOnline, March 6), is the world's largest Q400 operator. The latest order will increase its Q400 fleet to 60. It also operates E-195s.

Austrian Airlines will become the first European operator of 767-300ER blended winglets after announcing an order for six retrofits yesterday, Aviation Partners Boeing said. CEO Alfred Oetsch said the carrier will save 1,000 tons of fuel per year per aircraft while extending range by approximately 670 km. after installation, which will begin in spring 2009.