Cathay Pacific Airways exercised two of its 20 purchase rights for 777-300ERs for delivery in 2008. Late last year, Cathay ordered 16 777-300ERs plus the purchase rights (ATWOnline, Dec. 2, 2005). The first aircraft will be delivered in September 2007. They will be powered by GE90-115Bs.

Oman Air plans to add two more 737-800s, one of which will replace an existing 737-700. The new aircraft will increase the fleet to five 737-800s and two 737-700s.

Qatar Airways is expressing caution regarding its order for 60 A350s valued at $10 billion given the uncertainty surrounding the likely redesign of the aircraft. Qatar, which signed a letter of intent for the A350s last year and is slated to be the aircraft's largest customer, is holding off on signing a definitive purchase agreement pending the redesign, which is expected to be completed this summer.

Pakistan International Airlines took delivery of its first new ATR 42-500 yesterday, part of a $100 million order for seven signed in November (ATWOnline, Nov. 4). It will receive the next two aircraft in November and December and four more in the first five months of 2007. They will replace PIA's aging F27 fleet.

Bombardier reported earnings of $53 million before taxes and special items for its fiscal first quarter ended April 30, an improvement over earnings of $42 million in the year-ago quarter despite falling revenues that resulted from "lower deliveries of regional jets." The aerospace unit posted quarterly earnings of $55 million before financing charges, taxes and special items, a slight improvement over last year's $52 million that the company attributed to increased deliveries of business aircraft. The airframer received 19 net RJ orders in the quarter, including six CRJ900s ordered

Bulgaria Air will add four ex-United Airlines 737-300s, bringing its total fleet to 12 737-300/-500 aircraft.

Rockwell Collins extended its current Preferred Supplier Agreement with Air France through 2010 and signed a new five-year PSA with KLM. Under the terms of the agreements, both airlines will purchase Rockwell Collins communication, navigation and surveillance avionics for their forward-fit aircraft and retrofit activities. The Air France agreement also covers data link avionics, while a separate KLM agreement covers MultiScan weather radar on 777s.

Air China is set to buy two more 747-400Fs for its Air China Cargo unit, in which it holds a 51% stake, according to London financial market sources. The cargo carrier will take one 747-400F this year from Boeing and two 747-400BCFs.