Syrian Arab Airlines plans to order up to four Tu-204s and two Il-96s. According to RIA Novosti, Syrian Minister of Transport Yarub Sulayman Badr was traveling to Moscow Tuesday to examine details of the deal. "The Russian offer is very attractive and looks optimistic," he said, adding that the carrier needs more capacity.

777-200LR still is on high priority lists at Qantas and Singapore Airlines, according to internal sources at both carriers. Qantas is impressed with the 747-8, but under its rules the aircraft may not be able to perform the Dallas-Sydney mission in all seasons. Boeing has been working with Qantas since mid-2005 to refine the 777-200LR to perform a variety of missions including London-Sydney nonstop and Sydney-Dallas. SIA has been looking to the type to replace its five A340-500s, with reports suggesting that its nonstops to New York and Los Angeles are not profitable.

Emirates remains totally committed to the A380, saying that fundamentally it promises to be a "superb aircraft." Speaking to ATWOnline in Sydney, Emirates President Tim Clark urged Airbus to instigate program management changes quickly and refocus its energies on getting the program back on track. He was bullish on Airbus CEO Gustav Humbert's efforts, saying, "Humbert is honest and is demanding accountability."

TransAsia Airways signed a contract for the purchase of two new ATR 72-500s plus one option. The deal, including the option, is valued at $53.7 million. The aircraft will be delivered in 2007 in a 72-seat configuration and will bring TransAsia's ATR fleet to 12.

Philippine Airlines selected the CFM56-5B to power nine A320s it ordered; it holds five options as well (ATWOnline, Dec. 7, 2005). CFM International said the engine order is worth $110 million. Deliveries will begin later this year and continue through 2012 if all options are exercised.

Luxair ordered three 70-seat Q400s from Bombardier, worth $75.5 million at list prices. It also took three options. The company said last month that streamlining its fleet with the introduction of 70/90-seat aircraft was part of its effort to return its airline unit to profitability (ATWOnline, May 16). It will take delivery of the Q400s next year and use them mainly on routes to London, Paris, Frankfurt and Munich.

International Lease Finance Corp. signaled yesterday that it may cancel its order for 10 A380s and could do so without penalty because of the program's delays. Chairman and CEO Steven Udvar-Hazy told Bloomberg News that ILFC "could cancel and are considering canceling" an order valued at $3 billion. "We are not happy and on safe ground to cancel the order," he said.

Malaysia Airlines is expected to cancel its A380 commitment, according to an airline source. Speaking to ATWOnline, the source said MAS is close to canceling its order for six aircraft. This website understands from another source in Toulouse that at least one other airline is examining options to cancel its order. Before the delay announced last week by Airbus (ATWOnline, June 14), MAS had been scheduled to take delivery of its first A380 in July 2007 and its sixth in May 2009.