EADS Elbe Flugzeugwerke of Dresden delivered an A300-600 converted freighter to China Eastern Airlines (ATWOnline, Feb. 17, 2006). The conversion started in late December. A second A300-600F for CEA is undergoing conversion with the third scheduled for September.

CSA Czech Airlines took delivery of its 11th A320 family aircraft, an A320, Tuesday. It will take three A320s and two A319s this year. Next year four A319s will join the fleet.

Airbus yesterday announced its first commercial aircraft sale in Israel with an order from Israir Airlines for three A320s. Israir will fly the 174-seat, all-economy aircraft on routes to Europe. No engine choice was announced. Launched in 1996, Israir accounts for nearly 40% of the domestic travel market in Israel, according to Airbus. It currently operates 767-300ERs, 757-200s and ATR 42s.

Embraer delivered 25 jets in the first quarter and had a record order backlog valued at $15 billion, the company reported yesterday. Deliveries comprised five business aircraft and 20 jets from the E-170/-190 family. Embraer maintained its forecast of 165-170 deliveries this year, with nearly 40% occurring in the first six months.

Volito Aviation announced the lease of one 737-400 to Ukraine International Airlines through March 2012.

Boeing enjoyed another bumper week for 787 orders last week with 30 more booked, taking the number sold this year to 96. Of those, 67 are for unidentified customers, including the 30 recorded last week. Firm orders now stand at 544, with a further 23 pending for a total of 567. ATWOnline understands that the 30 are for one customer, as are the 15 ordered mid-March (ATWOnline, March 19). Companies linked to the latest order are American Airlines and leasing giants GECAS and ILFC.

Lufthansa will make an announcement this spring regarding the long-awaited renewal of its regional fleet, CEO Wolfgang Mayrhuber told ATWOnline last week. "We are currently in talks with the manufacturers. After that, we will provide details," he said. He did not indicate the size of the order or if it would include aircraft for its Swiss International Air Lines subsidiary.

SkyEurope Airlines announced the conversion of purchase rights for five blended winglet-equipped 737-700s into firm orders, a deal valued at $295 million at list prices. It now has 26 -700s on order through lease or direct purchase.