Midwest Airlines signed an agreement Friday to acquire two MD-80s that will be used to expand long-haul flying from its Milwaukee hub. "The acquisition of these aircraft provides new opportunities for Midwest and its customers," said Senior VP and CMO Scott Dickson. The aircraft will be placed into service in the first half of 2007, with routes and schedules to be announced at a later date. Midwest currently operates a fleet of 11 MD-80s and 25 717s. With its wholly owned subsidiary Midwest Connect, it provides service to 47 cities.

OAO Unified Aircraft Corp. CEO Alexei Fyodorov met with senior Airbus officials in Toulouse Friday to discuss potential Russian involvement in A350 XWB production, Bloomberg News reported. Russia has been seeking a greater role in Airbus work since a state-owned bank purchased a 5% stake in parent EADS earlier this year (ATWOnline, Sept. 13). It is unclear what kind of work Airbus officials discussed with the head of the Russian aerospace company.

Delta Air Lines reached aircraft purchase and sale agreements with Boeing and two aircraft lessors yesterday as part of an effort to right-size its fleet to emerge from bankruptcy as a standalone carrier with a heavy emphasis on international services.

Boeing confirmed this week that UK tour operator First Choice Airways ordered an additional two 787-8s for delivery in 2011. First Choice, the European launch customer for the 787, placed its first order for six in July 2004. It now has eight on firm order, with the first set to enter service in 2009. "This follow-on order from our European launch customer...speaks volumes about their belief in the exceptional benefits the 787 will bring to their passengers," Commercial Airplanes VP-Sales-Europe, Russia and Central Asia Marlin Dailey said.

Embraer delivered the first E-170 to Colombia's state-owned Satena, which currently operates five E-145s. A second E-170 will be delivered early next year.

Bankrupt Northwest Airlines said in a court filing yesterday that it has agreed to sell seven DC-10-30s to ATA Airlines, a transaction NWA said would bring "relief" that will help it to reorganize and eventually emerge from Chapter 11 protection. The carrier plans to retire all its DC-10s by the end of next month and said it marketed the seven planes to "70 potential purchasers." ATA's offer, which was not revealed, "represents the best available transaction for the sale of the aircraft," it said in the filing.

Swiss International Air Lines yesterday added its 11th A330, a dash 200, to its fleet.

Boeing's 787 is still overweight, although not the 5,000 lb. disclosed a month ago (ATWOnline, Nov. 7), but the company is confident it will "meet all commitments on weight," 787 VP and GM Mike Bair said yesterday during a call with reporters. An example of significant savings is a redesigned seat track that will remove several hundred pounds, he said. Bair also said the 787 will have 2%-3% lower cash operating costs than originally promised, largely owing to better-than-expected maintenance costs.