Airbus new aircraft sales picked up a bit last month as the embattled plane-maker reported orders for 12 aircraft in June, up from six in May and nine in April. All were for A320 family jets comprising four A319s, six A320s and two A318s. The new commitments brought total first-half sales to 117, comprising 96 narrowbodies and 21 widebodies. Airbus sold just one widebody in the second quarter and that was to a nonairline. Boeing has not released June monthly sales figures; however, in the period Jan.

Airbus's shareholder committee officially confirmed Christian Streiff as president and CEO Friday as the aircraft manufacturer began to move forward following last month's A380 program setback and its politically contentious fallout, which led to the resignation of former CEO Gustav Humbert (ATWOnline, July 3).

Sunwing Airlines, a charter carrier based at Toronto Pearson, took delivery of a third 737-800 last month.

China Southern Airlines confirmed it will take 50 A320s as its allocation from the Chinese government's order of 150 A320 family aircraft booked in December, which enabled Airbus to pip Boeing in the order stakes (ATWOnline, Dec. 6, 2005). The third carrier to announce its allotment, China Southern's order is valued at $3.3 billion. It will take delivery in 2009 and 2010.

Boeing delivered 97 commercial aircraft in the second quarter, with 70 737NGs comprising most of the deliveries. The manufacturer also delivered 17 777s. In the year-ago period, Boeing delivered 85 commercial aircraft comprising three 717s, 59 737NGs, four 747s, one 757, four 767s and 14 777s. For the first half of 2006 it delivered 195 aircraft, including 142 737NGs and 34 777s.

Las Vegas-based Primaris Airlines, as expected, postponed plans to order 20 787-8s and 20 737-800s. The original commitment was placed in October 2004 (ATWOnline, Oct. 22, 2004), but as 787 sales have picked up, Primaris backers have come under pressure to firm up the order. Boeing requested a deposit to hold the slots, which had slipped during the past year but were understood to be for the 2009-10 timeframe. They now will be available to other customers.

Cargolux is selling two CF6-80C2B1F-powered 747-400Fs. Cabot Aviation is the marketing agent. Formal commitments are required by Dec. 31, with delivery expected in the second half of 2009. The carrier placed an order for 10 firm 747-8Fs plus 10 options in November.

Tunisair ordered one A319ER from Airbus and announced that it will convert three of its in-service A319s into Extended Range versions. It plans to use the type on its Middle East and African routes configured with 16 business class and 90 economy seats. They will be powered by CFM-56-5B6s. Tunisair operates 12 A320 family aircraft and three A300-600s.