Indian Airlines took delivery of its first directly purchased A319 last week in New Delhi. The plane is part of the order for 20 A319s, four A320s and 19 A321s signed in February (ATWOnline, Feb. 22). "It is indeed a historic occasion and ushers in a new era for the airline which is witnessing the induction of its own aircraft after a gap of 12 years," Chairman and MD Vishwapati Trivedi said.

Airbus told analysts last week that its breakeven point for the A380 program has risen to 420 aircraft from 270, according to a statement on EADS' website. It still is budgeting for 751 deliveries and has sold 159 of the type. Separately, the A380 continued testing last week. MSN009, the fifth test aircraft powered by Engine Alliance GP7200s, underwent high-altitude tests around Addis Ababa, whose airport is at 7,500 ft. It then was scheduled to fly to the United Arab Emirates for hot-weather tests.

Northwest Airlines yesterday announced the completion of restructured agreements with Boeing and Rolls-Royce that will allow the bankrupt carrier to begin taking delivery of its 787s in August 2008. NWA placed an order for 18 Trent 1000-powered 787s, with purchase rights for an additional 50, last year (ATWOnline, May 6, 2005).

Morten Beyer & Agnew and Thomas Aviation Services remarketed seven former Independence Air BAE Jetstream 41s to Britannia Aviation Services International of Florida.

China Southern Airlines signed a purchase agreement for six 777Fs, Boeing said yesterday, in a deal Chinese media said was worth $1.84 billion. Deliveries will begin in the fourth quarter of 2008. China Southern subsidiary Xiamen Airlines signed for six 737-800s to be delivered in 2010, according to press reports. The latter deal reportedly includes the cancellation of an order for three 787s.

The Korean Air/Sinotrans joint venture cargo airline will launch between June and September 2007 with one 747F and two A300Fs based in Tianjin.

Tiger Airways ordered eight more A320s, which will build its fleet to 20 by 2010. The $500 million deal was signed yesterday and the first four aircraft will be delivered in 2008 with the balance in the following two years. Tiger has seven A320s in service with two more arriving this year and three in 2007. CEO Tony Davis told reporters that passenger numbers increased by more than 70% in the first six months of the current fiscal year. The LCC serves 15 cities in seven countries.

British Airways yesterday took the first step in its long-awaited long-haul fleet renewal, issuing an RFP to Airbus and Boeing as well as Engine Alliance, General Electric, Rolls-Royce and other key component suppliers. The aircraft under consideration are the A330, A350 XWB and A380 and the 787, 777 and 747-8.