Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise yesterday ordered 20 A320 family aircraft and exercised 20 options and purchase rights with Boeing for 737NGs in deals valued at a combined $2.8 billion, with all 40 aircraft to be delivered between the 2009 second quarter and the 2012 first quarter.

Plagued by production and boardroom problems throughout the past year, Airbus is off to a fast start in 2007 with an order from AirAsia for 50 A320s plus 50 options valued at about $3.3 billion that was signaled last week (ATWOnline, Jan. 8).

Saudi Arabian Airlines is negotiating with both Boeing and Airbus to buy up to 60 aircraft worth up to $12 billion, London's The Business reported. The purchase should bolster its current fleet of 139 planes. Local sources said Saudi Arabian, which is government-owned, is expanding rapidly and needs a variety of new aircraft. Press reports indicate the order will be split between the two manufacturers but delivery will not happen in time for the carrier's proposed flotation in 2008 (ATWOnline, Aug.

Delta Air Lines is seeking permission from the US Bankruptcy Court to finalize an order with Bombardier for 30 firm CRJ900s plus 30 options that it said will be used to expand its network and upgrade service, according to documents filed yesterday with the court. The aircraft are scheduled to begin arriving in September with deliveries continuing through February 2010. They will be configured for 76 seats in two classes. The manufacturer "has committed to provide, or cause to be provided, firm backstop financing for Delta's purchase of the aircraft," the airline said.

Asiana Airlines reportedly will add both Airbus and Boeing aircraft to its fleet, but press reports yesterday differed on whether the acquisitions involve purchased and/or leased planes. The Associated Press said the Korean carrier agreed to purchase two 777-300ERs, two A321-200s, one A320-200 and one A330-300 and that it is "considering ordering two additional planes from the [A320] family this year," according to an Asiana spokesperson.

Boeing booked 1,044 net commercial aircraft orders in 2006, paced by a record 729 net orders for 737s, surpassing its 2005 record of 1,002 total orders. The company delivered 398 commercial planes for the year, a 37% boost over 2005 and its highest total since 2001, led by 302 737 deliveries. "2006 was another outstanding year for our customers and for Boeing," Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Scott Carson said in a statement.

Pegasus Aviation Finance of California ordered two A350 XWBs and six A330-200s in a deal representing the lessor's first Airbus order and the first public commitment to the new A350 since the program was relaunched last month (ATWOnline, Dec. 4, 2006).

AirAsia is expected to place another large order for A320s, possibly as early as today. Sources confirmed to ATWOnline that the airline will double its A320 fleet; it operates 15 and has 70 on order (ATWOnline, July 20, 2006). Part of the pending buy will be the exercise of existing options. The LCC also has 35 737-300s in service that all will be replaced by A320s.