Virgin Atlantic Airways yesterday reached agreement with Airbus to defer delivery of its six A380s on firm order to 2013. The planes originally were scheduled to arrive in 2009, but Airbus production delays likely would have pushed back delivery. Terms of the deferral were not disclosed. Virgin said it extended leases on several 747-400s to compensate. Airbus said the A380 will have "proven" itself by the time Virgin takes delivery and noted that the deferral will help it "prioritize" deliveries for launch customers.

Republic Airways Holdings, parent of Republic Airlines, Chautauqua Airlines and Shuttle America, reported net income of $21.9 million for the quarter ended Sept. 30, a 57% increase over the $14 million earned in the year-ago period. Operating revenues grew 33% to $306.1 million while expenses rose 29.4% to $249.6 million. Operating profit climbed 51.1% to $56.6 million. For the first nine months, the company posted net income of $59.1 million, a 40% rise over the $42.2 million earned in the year-ago period.

Air One took delivery of the first of 30 A320s ordered in January (ATWOnline, Jan. 13).

Delta Air Lines yesterday confirmed that it will be the US launch customer for the 777-200LR. It will take delivery of two of the type in early 2008, having converted two dash 200ERs it had on order from Boeing, according to a Delta spokesperson. "These aircraft will enable us to fly nonstop to ultra-long-distance destinations across Asia and the Middle East as we continue our international expansion," said Mel Fauscett, MD-fleet planning and acquisition. The aircraft will be powered by GE90 engines.

Airbus is moving toward another radical rethink of its A350 XWB that may include a composite fuselage that will combat the 787 and leapfrog the 777-200ER. According to Airbus insiders, the latest revision will push the A350's entry into service to at least 2014.

Faced with lagging aircraft orders, Bombardier is reducing production of its CRJ700/900 line and eliminating some 1,330 jobs, with the cut in the larger regional jet program offset somewhat by an increase in production of Q400 turboprops.

Boeing said it successfully opened and closed the 747-400 Large Cargo Freighter swing tail in testing in Everett, Wash. The aircraft will be used to move assembly components for the 787 around the world and the swing tail is designed to allow more efficient loading and unloading of large parts.

Willis Lease Finance of California announced the signing of an engine sharing agreement with American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and WestJet covering CFM56-7Bs used to power 737NGs. The pool initially will service more than 450 aircraft. "I believe engine sharing pools will ultimately change the way all engines are leased...Engines can literally be rented in a matter of minutes," WLFC President and CEO Charles Willis said. "We have worked with the management teams of these airlines for over five years to reach agreement on the details."