EgyptAir parent EgyptAir Holding placed firm orders valued at more than $160 million for six Embraer 170s with options for six more and plans to launch a Regional subsidiary to operate the aircraft. First delivery is slated for April 2007, with the 170s comprising the fleet of the new EgyptAir Express, described by its chairman, Mohamed Hassan, as "a high-profile domestic and Regional airline." No other details on the subsidiary, scheduled to launch in the 2007 second quarter, were released. The 170s will seat 76 in a single-class layout.

Juneyao Airlines, a Shanghai-based startup, took delivery of its first A319. The leased aircraft has 128 seats in two classes. Juneyao, which is privately held, signed a deal in March to lease two A319s and six A320s from GECAS. It will take two A320s in January and operate routes connecting Shanghai, Zhengzhou, Taiyuan, Changsha and Sanya.

Boeing 747-400 Large Cargo Freighter, critical to the manufacturer's global strategy for building 787s, touched down at Everett, Wash., Saturday to start its flight-test program in earnest. The dash 400LCF first flew in Taipei Sept. 9 (ATWOnline, Sept. 12) and conducted two test flights before making the ferry flight to Everett. The flight-test program is expected to last through year end, when the aircraft will begin shuttling wing boxes and fuselage sections among Boeing's 787 manufacturing bases worldwide.

Rolls-Royce will supply engines for the 50 ERJ-145s ordered by Hainan Airlines Group (ATWOnline, Aug. 31). The order, which includes 100 engines and long-term TotalCare services, is valued at $500 million.

Boeing delivered the first 747-400ERF to China Cargo Airlines, the China Eastern Airlines/China Ocean Shipping Group joint venture. China Cargo's fleet is composed of six MD-11Fs and one leased 747 freighter, and it uses belly space on China Eastern passenger flights. The aircraft delivered to China Cargo will carry a maximum payload of 124 tons and has a maximum range of 4,970 nm.

Hainan Airlines ordered 15 additional 737-800s, completing the distribution of the 150-aircraft order placed by China Aviation Supplies Import and Export Group (ATWOnline, April 12), Boeing announced yesterday. The 150 737-700s/-800s are worth approximately $10 billion at list prices and will delivered to Air China (25), China Eastern Airlines (20), China Southern Airlines (30), Shandong Airlines (12), Shanghai Airlines (13), Shenzhen Airlines (10), Xiamen Airlines (15) and Hainan (25) between this year and 2010.

Boeing maintained its bullish air cargo outlook, projecting 6.1% annual average worldwide airfreight growth over the next 20 years in its World Air Cargo Forecast 2006/07 released this week.

Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Qantas are bracing for further delays in the delivery of the first batch of A380s. Speaking last week at an Airways dinner at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, ILFC Chairman Steven Udvar-Hazy told guests and media that a third A380 delay is likely. According to Udvar-Hazy, the problems with the wiring required for airline customization are worse than expected and another delay may be announced soon. He said ILFC learned of the possibility earlier that day (Sept. 8).