Bombardier announced yesterday that it "will continue to refine its CSeries business plan" in 2007 and will consider increased use of composite material for the fuselage and wing of the 110/130-seat aircraft as well as next-generation engine technology. The manufacturer previously had not committed publicly to fund the project this year (ATWOnline, June 20, 2006).

Qantas exercised options for two 72-seat Q400s for January 2008 delivery to its QantasLink regional carrier. Qantas ordered seven Q400s in early 2005 and the first entered service in early 2006. QantasLink operates 46 aircraft including eight 717s and 28 Dash 8s on 1,900 weekly flights to 49 destinations.

Azerbaijan Airlines placed an order for two ATR 42-500s and four 72-500s worth a combined $100 million at list prices, ATR said. The aircraft will be delivered this year and next and allow the Baku-based carrier to renew its fleet of Antonov and Tupolev aircraft and open new regional routes.

ILFC announced the following lease deals: KrasAir Airlines for four used 757-200ERs for six years, Air Europa for one new A330-200 for 5.5 years, Golden International Airlines of Turkey for one used 757-200ER for six years, JETX of Iceland for two new 737-800s for eight years and KLM for one new A330-200 for six years.

CFM International won an order from Air China valued at $345 million for CFM56-5Bs to power 24 A321s scheduled to be delivered in 2008-12. In addition, CA signed a 15-year maintenance agreement. Air China and CFM agreed to establish a JV to develop a new MRO facility in China.

MNG Airlines, a Turkish freight operator, signed an MOU for two A330-200Fs plus one option, Airbus announced. MNG currently flies 10 A300B4-200s and eight F-27s.

Emirates and Boeing are working to try and reduce the weight of the 747-8 Intercontinental so the airline can operate Dubai-Los Angeles with 400 passengers (a 50-ton payload) year round. "We need another 500 miles and we are not there yet," EK President Tim Clark said, indicating he wants more capacity than is available aboard the 777-200LR. "We think we can fill 400 seats a day."

Boeing has been forced to drop its plans for a wireless IFE system on the 787 after it was found that regulatory issues would preclude the system's being activated over certain countries. Problems also were encountered with bandwidth limitations in some areas as well as weight. The silver lining is that the change will save 150 lb. In October Boeing acknowledged some problems with the 787's weight and delivery schedule (ATWOnline, Oct. 26, 2006), forcing it to raise R&D spending to support suppliers.