Copa Airlines yesterday announced an order for four 737-800s valued at $282 million for delivery in 2011 and 2012. The Panamanian carrier already operates 24 737NGs and now has 10 on order. Boeing previously listed the order as being from an unidentified customer. Copa operates four of the world's longest 737 routes from its Panama City hub to Buenos Aires, Santiago, Sao Paulo and Los Angeles.

GE Plastics announced the launch of a new line of products specifically designed to reduce aircraft weight and maintenance costs and improve fuel performance.

Bombardier is forecasting demand for some 11,200 aircraft in the 20/149-seat range valued at an estimated $393 billion over the next 20 years. The guidance reflects a shift toward larger aircraft, with a demand for 1,000 with 20-59 seats, 4,200 with 60-90 seats and 5,900 100/149-seaters. With airline capacity expected to double during the period, operators will be seeking modern aircraft with lower operating costs, the manufacturer said.

One big problem with supply chain forecasting is that companies don't draw on enough resources when creating their forecasts. "Done well, forecasting contributes to supply chain performance, customer satisfaction and financial success," observes Terry Harris, managing partner with Chicago Consulting. "Done poorly, little else matters." [click here to continue]

EADS co-CEO and Airbus CEO Louis Gallois said he believes China likely will be capable of building A320-size aircraft by 2020. Regarding the country's claim that it intends to build "jumbo aircraft" (ATWOnline, April 10), Gallois told ATWOnline last week in Toulouse that "The technology level of China is improving every day. . .They are moving very fast. When they say 2020, why not?

American Airlines is the launch customer for 767-300ER blended winglets produced by Aviation Partners Boeing (ATWOnline, April 25), the airline announced. AA will remove an aircraft from service and lease it to APB for an eight-month flight test certification program beginning in January. It then intends to install winglets on each of its 58 -300ERs by the middle of 2010.

Pratt & Whitney signed a five-year agreement with UK-based cargo carrier MK Airlines to upgrade its JT9Ds with Pratt durability kits starting next month. The 36 upgrades are valued at more than $84 million. The JT9D-7Q technology upgrade includes new first- and second-stage turbine blades and vanes and a new second-stage turbine lenticular seal.

Airbus plans to ramp up production of A320 family aircraft to a rate of 34 per month by March 2008, and likely to 40 per month by 2010 with help from a Chinese assembly line, to take advantage of rising sales.