BAE Systems Regional Aircraft placed three BAe 146-200s with Johannesburg-based Airlink. The independent regional airline will operate the aircraft in a two-class configuration with seating for up to 89 passengers. It currently flies 15 29-seat Jetstream 41s, two of which are leased to Mozambique Express, and five ERJ-135s.

Horizon Air, launch customer for the Q400, placed a firm order for an additional 15 with options on 20 of the 74-seat turboprops. The firm order contract is valued at $393 million with deliveries slated to begin in October 2008. Horizon previously has placed orders with Bombardier for 46 Q400s, 28 Q200s, 21 Dash 8s and 20 CRJ700s, according to Bombardier.

Honeywell was selected by Boeing to provide engine nacelle anti-ice regulators on all 787s.

Tassili Airlines of Algeria placed a firm order for four 35-seat Q200s worth $74 million at list prices, Bombardier announced. Tassili mainly transports workers affiliated with Algeria's oil industry but intends to launch domestic and international scheduled services "within the next few years," the manufacturer said. It ordered four Q400s last year (ATWOnline, Aug. 1, 2006).

Aviation Capital Group yesterday announced orders for 20 A320 family aircraft, five 787s and 15 737NGs. The Boeing aircraft previously had been listed as unidentified on the manufacturer's orders and deliveries website. The order is worth approximately $1.6 billion at list prices and represents the lessor's first commitment to the 787. It currently owns a combined 138 737 Classics, 737NGs, 757s and 767s and has an additional 52 Boeing aircraft on order. The Airbus order comprises four A319s, 14 A320s and two A321s.

EgyptAir took delivery of the first two of 12 737-800s. It will take the remainder by the end of 2009.

Gol yesterday detailed its fleet plan for Varig in conjunction with its first-quarter earnings release (see story above). It said the Varig fleet, which will continue to operate independently of the new parent company, will comprise 14 737-300s and two 767-300ERs at the end of the current quarter. By year end Varig will operate nine 737-300s, five 737-800s and eight 767-300ERs. The 737-300s will be phased out by 2009, when Varig is scheduled to fly eight 737-700s, nine 737-800s and 16 767-300ERs. By 2012 it will operate 14, 15 and 22 of the respective types.

The mystery surrounding the identity of the purchaser of the 30 787s placed on Boeing's website last week has deepened. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported this week that a Boeing source indicated the order was from a non-US customer. However, other sources at Boeing told ATWOnline that may not be the case (ATWOnline, April 16).